Duffy declares he's ready to ride with Dearden in halfback role

Rising star Tom Duffy has declared he is ready to make his NRL debut and pair up with Tom Dearden as the next Cowboys halfback.

North Queensland coach Todd Payten had said it is "" for the No.7 jersey with Duffy in contention alongside Mackay youngster Jaxon Purdue and the more experienced Jake Clifford, who filled the role at the back end of the 2024 season.

Clifford is the front-runner to retain his spot but underwent minor surgery this week for a hernia. While he is not expected to miss any football, his absence for a period of pre-season training will allow winner Duffy to do more to impress the coaching staff in his quest step into the role made famous by Johnathan Thurston.

“Just a minor strain (for Clifford), so he'll be ready for Round 1, so looking forward to get back in training and have a good tussle for that jersey," Duffy said.

“It makes everyone a better player, I think it's no secret competition makes the team better, and that's happening here and it's happening in numerous positions, so everyone at training is just going to a whole another level which everyone loves to see.

“(To be Cowboys halfback) something I've been working to for pretty much my whole life now.

“It's been a dream of mine, so I can do I've been doing and I'm really looking forward to the trial so I put my best foot forward for that.

“I think I had a really good strong year in Cup last year and playing against men.

“Every game as a half you can play (is important) … the best halves are 30 years old, because of their experience, so I've got a lot of experience in the last two years.

“I haven’t missed a game in two seasons, so I've got a lot of experience and I think I can take that into the NRL now, I’m ready.”

Highlighting his kicking game as one of his main strengths, Duffy was also working on his communication during training.

“My focus is just getting the team around the park, being that loud voice, that's the job of a halfback, as well as that, just kicking the corners, making sure we give our team every opportunity to attack," Duffy said. 

“We've been working really hard on winning the field position and my job in that is kicking high to corners and making sure the boys know they're doing a good job and we're winning that battle.

"I like to think my kicking game's a big strength of mine, so the higher and longer I can kick ... the higher and the longer I can kick the better.

“We've had Johnno here as well doing a bit of work with us, so just picking his brain, getting a little tips off him, where he sets up for his kicks, where he wants to aim, who he wants to target, so constantly working and improving my game there."

While the Townsville junior has plenty of expectation and high hopes for his future after helping guide Northern Pride to the minor premiership last year, Purdue also hasn’t put a foot wrong since being granted his opportunity to debut in Cowboys colours last year, playing both in the centres and at fullback.

However, having played in the halves during his junior career, Purdue was also working on making whatever improvements needed to put his best case forward for the role as well and was learning from his positional rivals.

“It makes all of us a better player when there's spots to be competing for and I'm loving it,” Purdue said.

“I'm always looking for Duff and Cliffo to bounce off and now Tom Dearden's back, I’m getting into his head and ask him questions about stuff and (trying to) just be ready for anything.

“Growing up and playing in the halves my whole junior career, I'm probably most suited and comfortable to play there, but playing games last year at centre and fullback, I do feel comfortable playing there, so if Todd wants to put me there, I'll be comfortable to play there.”