Josh McGuire has been ruffling a few feathers at Cowboys training and makes no apologies for his methods, believing it will help the team achieve its potential in 2019.
Cowboys veteran Matt Scott recently spoke of McGuire’s aggression on the training paddock - something he's brought to the club since making the switch from Brisbane.
There are no 'beg-your-pardons' in the rugby league arena and McGuire says all players need to be prepared for the rough and tumble of the sport.
"I just like playing rugby league. I like to compete and I compete pretty hard," he said.
"Whether it's a game or training, I feel like I get the best out of myself or others and there's nothing ever personal in it."
McGuire said everyone’s learning off each other as new faces appear in the squad and get to mix with older heads.
"The younger fellas here really rip in and the older fellas all try and set an example.
"It'll probably take us a couple of seasons to really get super comfortable with each other but I'm very confident that we can play some good footy together."
McGuire, who will play in Cowboys colours for the first time in Mackay on Saturday in the trial against Storm, has embraced the methods and unique style of high performance manager Michael Dobbin in the pre-season.
"I've been at the Broncos for a long time so no disrespect to the Broncos but it's always nice to have a bit of a change, and Dobbs' been a breath of fresh air for myself," McGuire said.
McGuire is full of praise for Townsville too - he’s loving the lifestyle and is delving into the local passions.
"I've done a bit of fishing and in the process of looking for a boat."
Playing alongside Jason Taumololo pleases McGuire on a couple of levels.
"I really feel like our styles of footy will complement each other really well. I hope to take a bit off his shoulders with the defensive effort and let him really concentrate at what he's the best in the world at and that's running the football," McGuire said.
"I don’t have to tackle him anymore, makes life a bit easier!”
Meanwhile, Cowboys half Te Maire Martin has made his intentions clear as he manoeuvres to secure the No.6 jersey over youngster Jake Clifford, who starred in North Queensland's 22-16 trial win over the Titans last week.
"Cliffo went really well, it's healthy for the team and we’re working our hardest to try and get that jersey," Martin said.
If experience counts for anything, Martin has played alongside some talented halfbacks already.
In 2017 at the Panthers, Martin was paired with Nathan Cleary - a partnership he would have liked to last for a bit longer.
"It was good. Nate's never really flustered so I suppose I took a lot out of that and he was really easy to get along with.
"... but I've got a good opportunity at the Cowboys. I'm just trying to really work on my game," Martin said.
Having Johnathan Thurston helping out behind the scenes at training is an exciting prospect for Martin.
"Playing alongside him was pretty cool. He was always putting himself in the right position and also the effort he put in for the team and jersey," Martin said.
Martin will have the opportunity to stake his claim when he partners Michael Morgan in the Storm game.
