Scott Drinkwater does not believe North Queensland have lost the identity that took them to a preliminary final in 2022 but acknowledged his side need to show the same "desperation" as their season teeters on a knife edge.
Having been widely tipped pre-season to compete for top spot in the NRL, the Cowboys are flailing with a 2-5 record and have lost three games in a row for the first time since 2021.
Injuries and suspensions have ravaged North Queensland through seven rounds and Drinkwater is no exception, one of 11 players to be sidelined so far in 2023.
Sitting 16th on the ladder, the Cowboys' finals hopes will take another hit if Drinkwater and his troops are unable to triumph on Saturday against a resurgent Newcastle side buoyed by the return of skipper Kalyn Ponga.
The Cowboys fullback said his side showed greater patience in attack during their 22-14 defeat by the Warriors in round seven but were thwarted by a resolute defensive line.
He said the Cowboys need to exude greater desire if they are to return to the winners' circle and avoid slipping to a losing record at home this year.
"We're just not showing that identity as much as we're hoping for," Drinkwater said on Wednesday.
"When it comes to game day, (we need to) make sure that we're on and we've got to be desperate."
One player to return from injury in their loss to the Warriors was Kangaroos and Queensland representative Murray Taulagi.
The barnstorming winger said he "hated" seeing his side crumble while he nursed a knee injury but backed his injury-depleted team to turn it around.
"Our defence isn't where it needs to be and we're sort of lacking that tough mentality right now," Taulagi said.
"But we've just go to stick together - we know we're capable of being the team we were last year.
"It's a very important game (against Newcastle) ... the boys are willing to do everything they can this week to get the result that we want."
