North Queensland coach Todd Payten wants his players to give themselves a chance of playing finals football this season by making sound on-field decisions.
The Cowboys enter their second year under Payten revamped and refreshed after a gruelling pre-season in the tropical heat.
Payten is hoping for an improved showing this time after just seven victories in his maiden season, which was hampered by injuries and the loss of club legend and playmaker Michael Morgan to retirement.
Their NRL struggles began with the retirement of club legend Jonathan Thurston in 2018, with the Cowboys finishing in the bottom four every year since then.
While it's been a far cry from their premiership-winning days, Payten believes the talent and dedication is there.
He has just one word for his team ahead of their season-opening clash against Canterbury on Sunday evening.
"Ourselves," he said.
"Our only limitations are the decisions that we make as an individual out on the park, away from the training pitch around our preparation.
"We have a lot of ability and if we can continually make the best decisions for the team and whether that is here or out on the pitch, we have got some capability."
The Cowboys showed flashes of brilliance in their tumultuous 2021 campaign, starting 0-4 before winning six of their next eight on the back of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's hot form.
But the loss of skipper Jason Taumalolo to multiple injuries left Payten's side without clear on-field leadership, and they slipped to a 10-match losing streak.
Leadership responsibilities are now split with the acquisition of premiership-winning halfback Chad Townsend, whose direction and voice has ticked all the boxes.
"We've been impressed by what he's been able to bring in the club, that's what we brought him here to do," Payten told AAP.
"That was part of the decision - why we went in his direction instead of a couple other guys on the market.
"He's been first-class since he's been here and now expecting to go on from week to week and do the same thing."
Payten's side has a favourable draw to begin their NRL campaign as they don't leave Queensland until round six, and with opening fixtures against the Bulldogs and Canberra at home.
While admitting to meeting the teams at the right time, he said the Cowboys' success will ride off tough in-game decisions that failed them last season.
"It's very important that we start strong. We have a nice draw for the first eight rounds and we need to be putting ourselves in a position to capitalise on that.
"Our development as a squad will come from winning and losing games in moments, not in periods.
"That's where we were last year where we lost too many games with poor periods of play.
"So, if we can get to that point we'll win enough games to be there at the right part of the season."
