The North Queensland Cowboys enter the 2026 season under significant scrutiny. Todd Payten's tenure began with promise, built on defensive standards, physical conditioning and internal accountability.
That identity delivered early success, including a top-four finish, but the past two seasons have seen a steady erosion of consistency. Defensive resilience has declined, confidence has fluctuated, and close games have slipped away far too often.
The Cowboys have undergone meaningful change. Reece Robson has departed, Jordan McLean retired at the end of 2025, and the responsibility now falls to a core group of players to carry standards forward.
The recruitment of Reed Mahoney is a clear statement of intent, but improvement across the park is required. North Queensland possess speed, size and talent, yet unless key individuals lift their consistency and influence, the club risks remaining stuck between rebuilding and contending.
These are the five players whose improvement will define whether the Cowboys can return to finals football in 2026.
5. Coen Hess
Why his improvement is important
Coen Hess enters his 11th NRL season as one of the most experienced players in the Cowboys' pack. A former Origin representative, Hess is now relied upon as a senior enforcer. With Jordan McLean retired and Jason Taumalolo moving deeper into the latter stages of his career, Hess carries increased responsibility to lead physically.
What needs to improve
After missing the entire 2024 season with an ACL injury, Hess returned strongly in 2025, playing 21 matches. He averaged 97 running metres per game and recorded a career-best tackle efficiency above 95 percent. While those numbers show improvement, Hess can still elevate his impact through increased offloads and stronger second-phase play rather than playing purely straight and narrow.
Why his improvement matters in 2026
A fully fit Coen Hess, coming off another uninterrupted pre-season, is well positioned to become the Cowboys' primary middle presence. If he builds on his 2025 form and continues to lift his influence with the ball, Hess can provide the momentum, leadership and physical standards required for North Queensland to push back toward finals contention.
Shrewd comments.
I’m not convinced that Hess has much improvement left in him, but if he can be as good as last season then that’s one worry fewer for coach Payton.