Cowboys Star’s $3 Million Deal Might Open Doors for Dragons to Secure Big-Name Signing

North Queensland have pulled off an impressive retention feat, securing young talent Jaxon Purdue on a new four-year contract.

At just 20 years of age, Purdue is considered one of the most promising players in the sport, with whispers of him being a potential State of Origin representative following his debut last year.

Having been off-contract at the conclusion of this season and drawing interest from rival clubs, Purdue has chosen to commit to the Cowboys until 2030.

According to News Corp, the contract extension is reportedly valued at around $3 million over its duration.

“This club was established to ensure that young athletes from North Queensland, such as Jaxon Purdue, have the opportunity to play for their local team while chasing their dreams in the NRL,” said chief executive Micheal Luck.

“We’ve consistently reiterated this message throughout our history, but it holds particular significance now with Jaxon committing to a long-term contract extension.”

“It became clear during his time at St Pat’s that Jaxon possessed exceptional talent, but we were astounded by how quickly he made an impact in the NRL.”

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“Jaxon has already established himself as one of the top centres in the league, despite not playing in that position before entering the NRL. His adaptability is a significant advantage for our club.”

“In addition to being an outstanding centre, he excelled as a schoolboy half in Queensland and has demonstrated his potential as a high-quality fullback.”

Purdue’s remarkable speed and game-changing talent have positioned him as one of the most thrilling prospects in the NRL, although his contract extension raises some questions.

As mentioned in Luck’s comments, Purdue has the versatility to play in the halves or at fullback, and expectations are high regarding his long-term role within the team.

Meanwhile, Cowboys captain Tom Dearden is firmly entrenched as halfback for years to come, while Jake Clifford, whose contract expires at the end of 2026, is currently in top form.

This situation puts Scott Drinkwater’s future in the limelight, especially as he has been strongly linked with a potential move to the Dragons.

Nine’s Danny Weidler has confirmed on social media that Drinkwater remains a key target for the struggling St George Illawarra, particularly following Trai Fuller’s decision to reject the club’s offer.

Drinkwater is contracted until the end of 2027, making him a free agent from November 1 – although there remains the possibility that North Queensland may choose to move him on sooner.

St George Illawarra have also been linked with an interest in Jahream Bula, who is currently weighing his future at the Wests Tigers.

Tyrell Sloan will don the No.1 jersey for the Red V this weekend as Clint Gutherson recovers from a hamstring injury that will sideline him for the next month.