The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys kick off their 2026 campaign with a trial game against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.
The team named by Head Coach Todd Payten contains some of the club’s most exciting emerging talents and players from the Cowboys’ three Queensland Cup feeder teams.
Below is some information on players Cowboys members and fans are yet to see in action at NRL level.
Mason Barber – the electric fullback is gearing up to play his first game since appearing for the Australian Schoolboys in late 2024. Barber missed the entire 2025 campaign after suffering a shoulder injury in the pre-season with the Cowboys. Able to play anywhere in the back five, Barber may also see time at centre in the trial.
Liam Sutton – in his first season with the Cowboys, Sutton has been one of the standout performers of the pre-season. The 22-year-old was one of the top halves in the Queensland Cup playing for Wynnum Manly in 2025, earning a Development List contract with North Queensland. A half by trade, Sutton’s large frame has also seen him spend time in the centres in the pre-season.
Xavier Kerrisk – a schoolboy teammate of Jaxon Purdue in Mackay, Kerrisk is one of the most highly regarded emerging dummy halves in Queensland. The 20-year-old solidified himself as a regular at Queensland Cup level for Mackay in 2025 and will be gunning for an NRL debut in 2026.
Zac Herdegen – Herdegen played in the corresponding trial last year and now enters the Cowboys’ Top 30 in 2026. A talented half with a deft left-foot kick, Herdegen appeared in 15 Queensland Cup games for the Northern Pride in 2025.
Mason Kira – an aggressive Kiwi-born forward, Kira also enters the Top 30 in 2026. The 20-year former Queensland under 19s star has the ability to play in the middle or second-row and will be eyeing off an NRL berth later in the season.
Matt Watts – another Mackay product and schoolboy teammate of Kerrisk and Purdue. A towering middle forward, Watts emerged as a regular at prop for the Cutters in 2025 and joins the Cowboys on a Development List contract for 2026.
Creedence Toia – contracted to the Townsville Blackhawks, Toia impressed Cowboys coaches at a recent opposed session. A former Maori All Stars representative, Toia started at fullback in Burleigh’s Queensland Cup grand final victory over Norths Devils last season.
Ronald Philitoga – a teammate of Sutton at Wynnum Manly last season, Philitoga has also joined the Cowboys on a Development List contract for 2026. A hard-running winger, Philitoga has scored 24 tries in 27 games at Queensland Cup level.
Maddox Goodwin – one of two Cowboys Young Guns squad members to feature in this trial, Goodwin spent the pre-Christmas block training alongside the NRL squad. A powerfully built second-rower, Goodwin is expected to see action in the second half.
Wiremu Greig – one of the stories of the pre-season for the Cowboys, Greig will line up for North Queensland almost five years after departing the club in mid-2021. Now 26, Greig returned north after signing a deal with the Townsville Blackhawks, which included a pre-season training block with the Cowboys. His performances on the training deck over the pre-season earned Greig a Train & Replacement Contract with the Cowboys for 2026.
Tyler Moriarty – a dummy-half contracted to the Northern Pride, Moriarty spent the pre-Christmas block with the Cowboys. The 22-year-old has appeared in 42 NSW Cup games in the Roosters system.
Joe Doyle – the second Cowboys Young Gun on this list alongside Goodwin, Doyle joined the Cowboys after completing school in Bundaberg. Expected to feature on the wing in this trial, the 19-year-old can also play centre and second row.
Isaiah Latu – a versatile forward contracted to the Townsville Blackhawks, Latu is another who spent the pre-Christmas period with the Cowboys. The 27-year-old appeared in 21 games for the Blackhawks last season.
Mitch Prest – a former member of the Canberra Raiders pathways, Prest has joined the Mackay Cutters for 2026. The skilful middle forward appeared in 20 NSW Cup games for the Raiders.
Aitasi James – The prop has appeared at NRL level for both the Wests Tigers and Manly. He is contracted to the Cutters for 2026 after splitting 2025 across the NSW Cup with North Sydney and Manly.
