The North Queensland Cowboys come into the 2024 season off what can only be described as a disappointing slide over the last 12 months, and they will be desperate to prove their preliminary final appearance in 2022 wasn't simply a flash in the pan.
But to prove that, Todd Payten's side are going to have to overcome some significant roadblocks, although they have already taken a handful of steps to address the biggest issues.
Even with some steps taken in Townsville though, that certainly doesn't mean the Cowboys come into the new campaign as a favoured team likely to turn things around.
Their form last year was nothing short of abysmal as they collapsed from a preliminary final in 2022 to missing the top eight altogether in 2023. That said, their horror fade down the table was somewhat sheltered thanks to abysmal performances from a number of other finals-sliding clubs.
Here are the questions that will determine whether the Cowboys make their way back up the table in 2024, or are set for another season of poor results.
5. Who plays at second-row?
This is the question that will likely have kept Todd Payten awake for much of the off-season.
The simple point is here is that four players do not go into three spots.
It's a good headache to have, but one Payten needs to get right given the importance of the roles to the way the Cowboys play their rugby league.
What is clear is that Jeremiah Nanai will have one of the starting spots when he is fit. That is a given. He is one of the best attacking weapons in the competition, even if there are clear issues as pointed out earlier at the other end of the park.
But beyond that, things do get a little complicated thanks to the breakout form of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki at the back-end of the 2023 campaign.
He will be in the mix for minutes, but so too will the more experienced mid-2022 recruit Luciano Leilua who has been rumoured to be on the outer, and Heilum Luki, who, despite battling with injuries in recent seasons, is on the radar of the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Luki has long been rated one of the most talented younger players in the competition, but hasn't been able to hit that potential thanks to the amount of time he has been sidelined.
Who misses out is realistically anyone's guess, but from the Cowboys point of view, they have suggested they want to find a role for all four.
Attempting to do that could be as big of a detriment to their own success as any other coaching move Payten will make this season.
