Club super fan and Cowboys.com.au contributor Kate Cornish speaks to 20-year-old half Tom Duffy about his second pre-season with the NRL squad, what he's learned from James Maloney and how his tertiary studies have helped his football.
North Queensland Cowboys fans enjoy nothing more than the news of a local signing on the dotted line for the club. At the Cowboys inception in 1995, it was the dream that young players from the region would not have to move south to enjoy a thriving rugby league career. Since the mid-nineties, the Cowboys have stuck true to their word by signing some of the best talent from the far north, who, in many cases, have also turned out to be the best talent available in the NRL.
When local Townsville rugby league prodigy Tom Duffy signed on, this time on a two-year deal in 2023, it was a big moment for the young 20-year-old.
"I’ve grown up here my whole life and wanted to play NRL for the Cowboys. Between myself, my manager, and the club, we wanted to sort something out to keep me here for two years. We were able to do that quite quickly, which was good. I am looking forward to the next two years and what it has in store for me.”
As a young kid growing up in Townsville, Duffy has fond memories of heading out to the old stomping ground at 1300Smiles Stadium.
“When I was younger, I was that kid doing the laps around the field. I just loved to be there. That atmosphere was always unreal. As a young fella, JT (Johnathan Thurston) was my hero. I have pictures of me as a six-year-old wearing JT’s headgear and a big Cowboys jersey. Because I supported the Cowboys, the dream was to play for them. When I got to the age of 17, I realised that I could fulfil that dream if I kept working hard. I signed with the Cowboys and haven’t looked back since,” Duffy said.
Duffy, named the Australian Schoolboys halfback in 2021, had strong interest from clubs down south. Duffy claims that while the interest in him was flattering, he only ever had eyes for a Cowboys jersey, and after discussing his options with his manager and his parents, the unanimous decision on where he would best develop was under the guidance of the Cowboys.
“There was never any temptation. I wasn’t ready to play NRL right out of school, so the best spot for me to develop and become a better player was with the Cowboys with players like Chaddy (Chad Townsend) and Tommy Dearden, who have got that experience. They taught me so much last year, and I am sure in the next two years I will learn twice as much. While there was interest from other clubs, I definitely wanted to stay here.”
Being in the Cowboys' system since he was 14 years old, Duffy says the club's culture has kept him around for so long. From a young age, he knew that if he was going to make it in the NRL, it would be a Cowboys jersey he would strive for.
“The Cowboys instilled some values a couple of years ago that Toddy (Todd Payten), the coaching staff and the leaders of the playing squad really push upon everybody that comes through those doors. It is all about becoming a better person first and then obviously becoming a better rugby league player. The values that they have at the club align with my personal values and my family’s values, so it was a clear choice to stay. I think they are building something very special here.“
While his rugby league career is poised to be successful, Duffy also finds balance in his life through study, which he says is an important focus away from rugby league. When he is not training or playing, Duffy can be found with his head in a book. He has recently completed his second year at university, where he is studying part-time to become an engineer.
“I think having uni definitely takes the pressure off rugby league. I can work hard at that, and then I can come into training and work hard there. I don’t know if it happens much now, but you’d hear stories of people being caught up and their whole identity was as a rugby league player… but when I’ve got uni, I go home, and I can switch off from rugby league and just concentrate on uni. That really gives me a freshen-up when I come into training.”
Currently enjoying his second pre-season at NRL level, Duffy says this time around, he feels more prepared in his expectations for himself and from the coaching staff. His first preseason was a tad daunting with experienced names like Townsend and Dearden running the show; however, Duffy says he feels more confident this year and is developing his voice within the group.
“It was definitely a shock to the system last year. You think the Young Guns preseason is hard, but then you get to NRL, and you get a rude shock. This year, I am fitter, first and foremost, so while it hasn’t felt easy, I have been able to manage sessions a bit better and get the most out of myself. I have got a lot better at talking amongst the group. I still have a long way to go, but I am definitely finding my voice amongst the players. I try to chip in when I have something good to say.”
The depth in the Cowboys' halves combination has turned up the heat at training, with former Tully local, Jake Clifford, back in the fold after a sabbatical with the Newcastle Knights and abroad in the Super League. Duffy says this depth pushes all the players to perform at every training session.
“I think that competition has made everyone so much better. Everyone is going for that spot and trying to do their very best each session. Whatever team you are in at training, everyone is going as hard as they can to get the best out of themselves and then the team. It’s about staying grounded and working as hard as you can.”
Moving on from the squad’s disappointing result in 2023, Duffy insists the energy and intensity of the group indicate that only finals football will be acceptable for the 2024 season. With the Cowboys pre-season kicking off at the start of November, Duffy says the coaching staff have highlighted teamwork on the field as a key component for success earlier in this preseason, really testing out combinations and pushing their fitness in ‘game-like’ scenarios.
“Everyone here has goals to play finals footy. We started November 1st, and we all came in ready to go. It was disappointing last year, and we made errors under fatigue. This year, it is all about limiting those errors. We are training hard, and we still have a long way to go before the season starts, but we are trying to develop those good habits early.”
With two-time NRL premiership winner James Maloney recently joining the club and strengthening the Cowboys coaching staff in the role of assistant coach, Duffy says he has immediately impacted the playing group. The 37-year-old, who has 247 NRL games under his belt, has already made quite an impression on Duffy.
“He has been really good since he arrived. I have had so many conversations with him already about little details in my attack. He has brought some fresh ideas to the whole team. He’s changing up our attack a bit and is giving our defense a different look. It has been quite refreshing. He has been at so many clubs and has been successful at nearly all of them. He’s been outstanding, and I can’t wait to get some more advice from him.”
In news that will make Cowboys fans extremely happy, Duffy says that Scott Drinkwater is already showing excellent signs at training and is a player who has caught his eye early in their preseason campaign.
“Off the back of last year, Drinky has been unreal already this preseason. His speed off the mark is great, and he is killing every session. He also brings a lot of chat to the group this year, which I like, and I am sure he is in for an equally good, if not an even better season the way he is going at the moment.”
Duffy will have also caught the eye of the coaching staff with his 3rd place in the 1.2km shuttle run and he says he has been working hard on improving his fitness to give him an edge over his teammates.
“Toddy sat down with me and said that the part of my game that I need to work on was my fitness. As a half, you want to stay in the game and make quick decisions on your feet and the right decision, more importantly. So, the fitter you are, the clearer your head can be, and the quicker you can make those decisions that will ultimately benefit the team, hopefully giving you the win. I took that advice in my stride, went away, and had a hard off-season. I have come back in a lot better shape.”
Suiting up for the Blackhawks on debut in 2023, Duffy reflects on his season. He was the only player to play all 20 games and he produced some solid statistics. Next season Duffy will find himself representing either the Mackay or the Northen Pride. He is keen to make a difference no matter where he plays and is excited to take his game to the next level in 2024.
“Individually, I was happy with my 2023 season, being my first one against men. The improvements needed for me are in defense, putting on a bit of size and having some more aggression. Playing against men, they carry the ball stronger, and they are harder to put down. Along with that, I want to develop my running game and be a threat with the ball. That will not only open up other players around me but give me more confidence in my own game.”
With a NRL debut beckoning, the 20-year-old knows that solid performances in the Queensland Cup next season will get him one step closer to his dream of running out onto the field as a player worthy of a Cowboys jersey.
“I want to become an NRL standard half, whether that means making my debut (this year) or playing consistently in the Queensland Cup at a higher level and standing out in those games to show the coaching staff that I am up to the intensity of the NRL, that is a goal for me in 2024.”
