LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The North Queensland Cowboys are facing a challenge in retaining their young talent, specifically Jaxon Purdue, who might explore opportunities with other clubs by 2027. The 20-year-old Mackay product is yet to sign a contract extension and is preparing to test the market.
Having made his NRL debut last season, Purdue has quickly established himself as a promising player, poised to become one of rugby league's most desirable talents thanks to his age and potential. He has displayed versatility this season, shifting between the centres and halves. His impressive performance includes seven tries in the first nine rounds and four additional tries in the last four rounds.
In an effort to secure his future in Townsville, the Cowboys proposed a new contract extension back in May. However, News Corp has reported that Purdue intends to explore the open market starting November 1. This will provide him the chance to engage with rival clubs, where he is likely to attract considerable attention, allowing his management to gauge his market value.
It appears that his management team is not in a hurry to finalize any new agreements. "We'd love Jaxon to play his career out at the Cowboys," stated Cowboys GM of Football Michael Luck in a recent interview.