It's hard to pinpoint a team who have underperformed against their expectations more than the North Queensland Cowboys in recent seasons.
They have had trips to the finals under Todd Payten, but this is a squad who should regularly be pushing for premierships.
In truth, they haven't been close for some time.
That's not to say wholesale changes are needed, but it's clear coach Payten is under plenty of pressure to turn things around if he wants to escape long-term with his job.
2027 is shaping up as the year they could potentially look to remodel a lot of what they are doing in Townsville as well.
As it stands, it's a very limited squad on contract heading into the year, and while it's headlined by some big-money deals, there is plenty of wiggle room if the Cowboys want to say goodbye to a number of players on their books currently and move in a new direction.
Current North Queensland Cowboys 2027 squad
Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Robert Derby, Scott Drinkwater, Coen Hess, Zac Laybutt, Heilum Luki, Reed Mahoney, Jeremiah Nanai, Jason Taumalolo, Viliami Vailea
Off-contract at the end of 2026
John Bateman, Braidon Burns, Tom Chester, Jake Clifford, Zac Herdegen, Mason Kira, Kaiden Lahrs, Karl Lawton, Sam McIntyre, Thomas Mikaele (club option), Griffin Neame, Kai O'Donnell, Jaxson Paulo, Jaxon Purdue, Murray Taulagi
Current best 17 for 2027
1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Robert Derby
3. Zac Laybutt
4. No player signed.
5. Viliami Vailea
6. No player signed.
7. Tom Dearden
8. Reuben Cotter
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Coen Hess
11. Jeremiah Nanai
12. Heilum Luki
13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
14. No player signed.
15. No player signed.
16. No player signed.
17. No player signed.
As it stands, the Cowboys have just 11 players signed heading into 2027.
Of those, it could be reasonably anticipated that Jason Taumalolo will hang up the boots at the end of the 2027 campaign.
Coen Hess may not be all that far behind him, although some will be surprised to learn he is only 29 at the time of writing, such has been the nature of his career.
The Cowboys do have a strong nucleus. The recent signing of Reed Mahoney from the Canterbury Bulldogs means they have replaced Reece Robson as he heads off to the Roosters, while Tom Dearden, Scott Drinkwater and Reuben Cotter are all already locked in for 2027.
But there are big question marks around the Cowboys.
They need more depth in the forwards, will be hoping Heilum Luki can finally string a full season together, and could need to sign a five-eighth unless they lock up Jake Clifford - even then, it's question of whether they want to. Clifford was in and out of the side throughout 2025.
Centre and wing also have question marks, so this is essentially an open slate for the Cowboys, with only a handful of players - likely led by Jaxon Purdue and Queensland State of Origin winger Murray Taulagi - desperately needing to be re-signed given their obvious talent and potential.
Option 3: Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders)
24-year-old Morgan Smithies has been extremely impressive since his move from England to join up with the Raiders.
He has often played a bench role for the Green Machine during his first NRL season, but has regardless impressed with his work rate, effort and ability to do his job without any degree of fuss.
That alone should be making plenty of teams sit up and take notice given he is off-contract at the end of 2026.
The Raiders are a home for Englishmen in Australia, but there is no reason Smithies couldn't spread his wings and look for a move - and bigger role in the years to come - elsewhere.
That all said, he is likely to gain that at the Raiders, but whether Canberra have the cash to keep him remains to be seen.
In Townsville, Smithies could slot straight into the front-row, or at the very least, become the club's long-term lock forward once Taumalolo hangs up the boots at the end of 2027.
He has certainly been good enough in his NRL time to date to carry out either role.
