North Queensland Cowboys 2022 draw snapshot

Here is all you need to know about the North Queensland Cowboys 2022 Telstra Premiership draw.

The Lowdown

Teams they play twice

Panthers, Roosters, Titans, Raiders, Dragons, Warriors, Wests Tigers, Broncos, Bulldogs

Teams they play once

Storm, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Eels, Knights, Sharks

Day-by-day breakdown

Thursday 2; Friday 6; Saturday 10; Sunday 6.

Opening month

The Cowboys start off with three home games in the opening month and don't leave Queensland until round six. The Bulldogs, Raiders, Broncos and Roosters provide Todd Payten's men with an opportunity to chalk up some early wins and it's imperative they take that chance.

Toughest stretch

The Cowboys get four top-eight sides in a five-game stretch from round 11, starting with last year's minor premiers Melbourne at home and premiers Penrith away with trips to face the Titans then Manly soon after.

Make it count

In the six games from rounds five to 10, the Cowboys face five sides that finished seventh or lower, including three of last year's bottom eight. The Eels in Darwin and Raiders in Canberra are both tricky prospects but games in Queensland against the Warriors, Knights, Titans and Tigers offer chances to chalk up a few early-season wins.

Storyline to watch

If the Cowboys are to drag themselves out of the cellar they'll need Jason Taumalolo at his barnstorming best. The Tongan powerhouse averaged a respectable 155 metres per game but there was plenty of outside noise suggesting coach Todd Payten under utilised his main man. Taumalolo played less than 60 minutes in eight of his 15 games and the spotlight will be well and truly on Payten to see whether he sticks to his plan of trying to look after the lock for the long term or increases his game time.

• see the NRL 2022 draw here