Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Todd Payten has earned a contract extension that will see him remain in charge at North Queensland until the end of 2028 – but rivals St George Illawarra remain at least a month away from making a call on their own head coach.
Payten was the last remaining full-time coach without a deal beyond this season, with questions asked about his future at the start of the year after the Cowboys dropped their opening two games.
But the no-nonsense former Wests Tigers premiership winner held his nerve and watched his side win eight of their next 12 games. The signing news is a huge boost for the playing group as they try to cause an upset against the Warriors in New Zealand on Sunday.
Payten told this masthead earlier this season about his own future: “I haven’t got any ego, [but] for peace of mind it would be nice to get something done. It was uncomfortable after two rounds [following two defeats], but I’d seen enough in the pre-season and the trials to know we were always going to be a different-looking team.”
On Saturday, the 47-year-old said: “North Queensland is home for my family, and I’m thrilled to be able to extend for another two seasons. I love the club and the region because of the people within it.
“I am grateful to be leading this group of young men, and we are committed to bringing the second
premiership to North Queensland.”
The new deal means Payten will succeed the late Paul Green as the longest-serving coach at the Cowboys. Green was in the top job for 168 games, including the 2015 premiership, while Payten, who took the Cowboys to the 2022 preliminary finals, sits on 146 games.
Payten’s deal means the only club now without a coach in place for 2027 is the Dragons, who have Dean Young calling the shots in a caretaker role.
The Red V sacked Shane Flanagan earlier this season, and Young – a Dragons premiership winner in 2010 and Payten’s former assistant in Townsville – is eager to make the role his own.
Ben Hornby, another 2010 premiership winner, and is serving a coaching apprenticeship under Wayne Bennett at South Sydney, has also been linked to the post. Souths are keen for Hornby to stay, but also made it clear they will tear up any fresh deal if Hornby lands a head-coaching job elsewhere.
While the Dragons have posted some improved performances the past month, including a win against the Broncos, and a gritty defeat against Newcastle on Friday, club officials are happy to take their time.
Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly said a decision was at least a month away.
“We won’t be making any comment on the appointment or the process,” Dragons CEO Tim Watsford said.
The Dragons have a host of young exciting forwards, and recruited several marquee players for next year, including fullback Scott Drinkwater from the Cowboys.
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