After the Cowboys suffered a disappointing 24-6 loss to Manly, coach Todd Payten reaffirmed his commitment to his recent decision on the halves pairing, opting for Tom Dearden at halfback alongside Jaxon Purdue in the No. 6 jersey, while dropping Jake Clifford. The move coincided with Zac Laybutt’s return from injury at centre, adding an element of transition for the team.
Despite the loss, Payten expressed confidence in his new pairing, stating that both players would benefit from the experience. He acknowledged that while he did not expect a flawless performance on their first outing together, he firmly believes Dearden represents the future of the club in the halves. Laybutt, who is returning from a lengthy injury layoff, is also expected to improve with more game time.
As the State of Origin approaches, Dearden is likely to be selected to play for the Queensland Maroons, bringing Clifford back into play as the 18th man. Although concerns have been raised regarding modifications to the team in Dearden’s potential absence, Payten indicated he anticipates the involvement of five players—including Dearden, Murray Taulagi, Purdue, Reece Robson, and Jeremiah Nanai—in the upcoming Origin series.
Cowboys skipper Dearden is optimistic about his developing partnership with Purdue. He shared his thoughts on their relationship, emphasising the simplicity of his role in steering the team and highlighting Purdue’s strong performance, which he believes will only improve with continued collaboration in training and matches.
Reflecting on Purdue’s skills, Dearden praised his outstanding football instincts and expressed enthusiasm about the potential of their partnership, especially as Purdue readjusts to playing in the halves after a hiatus. Dearden’s confidence in their synergy suggests a positive outlook for the Cowboys as they seek consistency and improvement in the coming matches.