Cowboys.com.au are providing an in-depth positional analysis of the 2025 North Queensland Toyota Cowboys squad. We continue the series with the halves, led by superstar five-eighth Tom Dearden.
The players are ranked by their NRL experience with their career numbers of games in brackets next to their name.1
>>> Part 1: Fullback
>>> Part 2: Outside backs
Tom Dearden (104)
One of the NRL’s premier playmakers, Dearden was crowned 2024 Dally M Five-Eighth of the year. The 23-year-old enters his second season as Cowboys Co-Captain as the incumbent Queensland and Australian five-eighth.
Jake Clifford (75)
Clifford finished the 2024 season as North Queensland’s first-choice halfback after a stunning Queensland Cup campaign for the Northern Pride. Now 26, Clifford is the most experienced halves option in the Cowboys squad after Dearden.
Jaxon Purdue (8)
None of Purdue’s eight NRL games have come in his preferred position in the halves. The 19-year-old came through St Patrick’s College in Mackay as the premier schoolboy halfback in Queensland for his age group.
Tom Duffy (0)
The former Australian Schoolboys half looks set for an NRL debut in 2025. The Townsville product was the leading point-scorer in the Queensland Cup with 216 in 2024. Duffy also offers an elite goal-kicking option after the departure of Valentine Holmes.
Zac Herdegen (0)
In his first season in North Queensland, Herdegen will be looking to establish himself in the Queensland Cup in 2025.
