Todd Payten has revealed the immediate steps he took to help lift the North Queensland Cowboys from one of the lowest points in the club's history, with the response paying off in Thursday night's crucial 30-8 victory over the Gold Coast Titans.
The win keeps North Queensland's finals hopes alive and comes just seven days after their historic 82-12 defeat to the Sydney Roosters in Townsville, a result Payten labelled one of the "darkest days" in the club's history.
Rather than allowing the disappointment to linger, the Cowboys coach gathered both players and staff immediately after the match to confront the performance head-on.
“I asked our players and staff to turn up to the leagues club after the match. It was a late game but it is important that we front up together. We did that, we addressed it and now we move forward,” Payten said in the post match press conference on Thursday night.
Payten admitted the immediate aftermath of the record loss was difficult but praised his squad for the way they responded throughout the week.
“Last week was difficult, the first 12, 15 hours after the game were really tough,” Payten said.
“But we had to get past it and we did that. The boys were sprightly on Monday and went after their work and it was probably one of the easiest weeks to be fair.
“It was less detailed around what we're doing from the coaching aspect, and it was more just around our attitude and effort.
“We've got a group here that get past things pretty quickly. I think the modern player does as a general rule.”
The Cowboys' response was positive, bouncing back with a convincing five-try victory over the Titans.
Despite the crushing loss to the Roosters last week, Payten said his confidence in the squad has never wavered, pointing to several impressive victories throughout the season as evidence of the side's potential.
“I've got no doubt in who we are and what we could be. I think the players believe it as well. One game doesn't define our season as disappointing as it was,” Payten said.
“We've beaten three of the top four teams, beat the Roosters last time at Magic Round with two guys in the sin bin, Manly at Brookvale and the Broncos twice, so we've got some footy in us.
“I think we played like 12 games without Tommy Dearden…we're in decent shape and we've had to work hard. We're our own biggest challenge.”
The victory sees North Queensland climb to seventh on the ladder, although their place inside the top eight is not yet secure. They will need either the Canterbury Bulldogs or South Sydney Rabbitohs to lose this weekend to remain in the finals positions.
The Cowboys now turn their attention to a clash with the Parramatta Eels next week before enjoying a bye, with matches against the Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders to round out their regular season as they look to a finals charge.
