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North Queensland centre Valentine Holmes says he has improvement in his game as he targets being the best centre on the field this year in every match he plays.

North Queensland centre Valentine Holmes says he and the Cowboys have another gear to go to this season as they look forward to being the hunted rather than the hunters.

Within the Cowboys inner sanctum, they believed they were a good side before the 2022 season kicked off.

No-one much else did at the start of last year, but they proved their critics wrong by finishing in the top four and reaching the preliminary final.

The class of the side became abundantly clear and one thing the Cowboys won't be doing is trying to fix what isn't broken.

"We have spoken about (being the hunted) because we obviously played pretty well last year," Holmes said after the 20-18 trial loss to Brisbane on Saturday night.

"We have pretty much got the same team and a couple of new faces who have been really good for us. We don't have to change much.

"Once we find out how everyone likes the ball, and likes to play, I feel like the sky is the limit for us."

The constant quest for improvement is on the Cowboys agenda, however, as they prepare to host Canberra in round one of the NRL in a fortnight.

The Cowboys let in four tries off kicks against the Broncos, an area of play Holmes said they must improve.

"That is probably going to be our main focus leading into Canberra," Holmes said.

"They play pretty similar to the way to the Broncos. They have got big forwards and strong outside backs so I am sure we will be expecting something similar."

Holmes won a State of Origin series with Queensland and the World Cup with Australia last year.

He said he "definitely" had another gear to go to on a personal level, with his own goal each match ensuring no complacency.

"I am a competitive person and I want to be the best centre on the field, no matter who I am playing against...even with my own teammates with Pet (Cowboys centre Peta Hiku)," he said.

"Defence is the second thing. Myself, Muz (Murray Taulagi) and Tommy (Dearden) try and be a solid edge and that is something we focus on in pre-season."

Cowboys coach Todd Payten said managing external expectations this year would not be an issue for his team.

"From my point of view last year is done and dusted. We've just got to start again," Payten said.

"We didn't really care about what was said outside of our group and I don't think that is going to change.

"I am worried about what is said within our own four walls and (what happens) out on the training pitch."