3 minute read

North Queensland have two weeks to avoid being the first team since 1942 to go from a finals-paying spot halfway through the year to not winning another game.

North Queensland are on the verge of the biggest capitulation in 79 years after their loss to Parramatta marked their 10th straight defeat.

The Cowboys were sitting as high as seventh at the halfway mark of the season, and were considered genuine contenders for the finals at that time.

However they have not won a game since being flogged 50-18 by Manly in round 14, and now sit as low as 14th after Saturday's loss.

Not since North Sydney in 1942 has a team sat in a finals-paying position at the halfway mark of the season before crashing out by losing all their subsequent matches.

North Queensland's last chances for a win this season will come against St George Illawarra next Saturday before they face Manly in the final round of the season.

"It's been a tough slog," North Queensland coach Todd Payten admitted.

"They turn up through the week working hard and looking to improve.

"The coaches have been doing a great job. Morale is good.

"We have two weeks left and we need to get a win. We need our younger guys who are inexperienced to keep improving. That's where it is."

In the past 10 weeks alone, the Cowboys have let in an average of 34.3 points per game to have the worst defensive record in the league over that period.

They have missed more tackles than any other team this season, while also conceding the most linebreaks.

Their attack over the second half of the season has also been worse than anyone's except Canterbury and St George Illawarra, averaging 15.6 points per game.

They have been without Valentine Holmes for the majority of that period, but it does not take away from the fact they have the worst for-and-against in the NRL over that period.

"More often than not what's getting us in trouble is we're punching ourselves in the face with either poor ball control, poor last-play options," Payten said.

"We're an inexperienced team and we're not helping ourselves and it's putting us under too much pressure."

Payten must also decide how he wants to play next season.

Jason Taumalolo was used as an edge second-rower before his most recent hand fracture, and he will likely be back next week.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow showed good signs at fullback on Saturday night, with Valentine Holmes pushed back to the wing.

And Tom Dearden is yet to claim a win as a halfback at the club after arriving mid-season, with Chad Townsend already signed for next year.

"At the moment we haven't got many fit bodies," Payten said.

"But pre-season and round one next year if we're all fit it's about accountability. if you earn your spot you keep it.

"I'm looking forward to it."