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Brisbane's 20-18 win over North Queensland in the absence of captain Adam Reynolds was set up by prop Pat Carrigan and the next generation of halves.

Brisbane's young halves have fired in a 20-18 win over North Queensland to give coach Kevin Walters a welcome headache ahead of round one of the NRL.

With captain Adam Reynolds rested through a back complaint, Walters wanted to see what his young halves had to offer in Saturday's pre-season clash on the Sunshine Coast. They offered plenty.

Last year's Queensland Cup half of the year Josh Rogers came on late to set up the winning try with a pinpoint kick for winger Jesse Arthars to score.

Ezra Mam and Jock Madden had earlier combined well as the starting halves.

Mam, the favourite to wear the No.6 jersey in round one, set up the opening try for Kurt Capewell with a slick grubber.

Madden, recruited from Wests Tigers in the off season, showed his guile to set up two tries from kicks. The 22-year-old impressed with his ball running, talk and defensive clout.

"I knew Jock was always going to be a handful," coach Walters said.

"I like the way he plays, he was good defensively, plays direct and kicked the ball well.

"There was a lot to like about Jock. I was happy with the performance overall."

World Cup-winning prop Pat Carrigan was enormous in the early exchanges with his defence, powerhouse running and ball playing to showcase his development as a player.

Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater was one of the most improved players in the NRL last year and continued to impress with two key try assists.

The Broncos were given a 26-6 lesson by the Cowboys in the corresponding trial last year but muscled up in the first half.

The Cowboys fielded a near full-strength side and it was the class of their key players that shone out.

Star centre Valentine Holmes put the afterburners on to slide past Kotoni Staggs and score.

Drinkwater triple-pumped while in motion to put winger Kyle Feldt over. His second-half grubber for try scoring whiz Jeremiah Nanai was sublime.

They were displays of sheer class that highlighted why the Cowboys, despite too many defensive misses against Brisbane, are favoured to challenge for the NRL title this year.

Walters would also be pleased with the display of Selwyn Cobbo at fullback in the absence of the injured Reece Walsh.