Laybutt in centre stage for Cowboys after Holmes exit
The imminent return of PNG international Zac Laybutt from a knee injury has given North Queensland a huge boost in the centre position after the off-season move of Valentine Holmes.
Laybutt, 23, ruptured an ACL in the round-four win over Gold Coast last year and missed the rest of the season.
He is on track for a round-one return to bolster the Cowboys’ centre stocks after Queensland star Holmes’ switch to St George Illawarra.
Tom Chester, another centre candidate, tore an ACL in pre-season and will be unavailable in 2025.
Laybutt was Holmes’ centre partner in the opening four NRL games last year and looked the goods.
He scored the club’s first try of the season in the round-one win over the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium, where his body swerve and speed caught the eye.
Cowboys general manager of football Micheal Luck said Laybutt was talented enough to play five-eighth, fullback or wing, but his impact as a centre suited the club best and was where he offered the most as an individual.
“We think at this point that centre is where he plays his best footy,” Luck told AAP.
“He has had a pretty good pre-season and looks good when he is out there doing full contact.
“We are looking forward to him putting all that into practice in the trials, and hopefully he is in good nick for round one.”
Jaxon Purdue and Viliami Vailea are also in the frame to play centre, while Luck said Maroons winger Murray Taulagi had also slotted into the position at training in the pre-season.
“We have got some guys there that can do the job, but Zac was the long-term plan to be there,” Luck said.
“We will make sure we look after his knee, and if he is not completely right for round one from a rehab perspective we won’t rush him.”
Laybutt said on Thursday he was tracking well and had the round-one clash with Manly in his sights.
He said the mental side of his recovery was tough, but he had the right support around him at the Cowboys to get through it.
“You are on top of the world when you are playing good footy and your confidence is high,” Laybutt said.
“I had to adapt on the go. It was tough. I thought I had that spot solidified, but I am sort of starting again where I was at the same time last year.
“I’ve been through it and I know now what I need to do to get back into the team.
“I hope to get some trials in and am ready to go for round one.”
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