LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have announced the promotion of Young Guns talents Matthew Watts and Mason Barber to the NRL squad for the 2026 season.
Joining them on Development List contracts for 2026 are recruits Liam Sutton, Ethan King, and Ronald Philitoga.
Matthew Watts, who played alongside Jaxon Purdue at St Patrick's College Mackay, joined the Cowboys' Young Guns in 2024 and started the 2025 season within the program before transitioning to full-time training with the NRL squad later that season.
A towering front-rower, Watts has participated in 19 Queensland Cup matches with the Mackay Cutters over the last two years, securing a starting position towards the end of the 2025 season.
Mason Barber, a 2024 Australian Schoolboy, came to North Queensland before the 2025 season following a successful schoolboy stint at Gold Coast's Keebra Park State High School.
As an explosive outside back, Barber did not compete in 2025 due to a shoulder injury sustained during the preseason.