From premiership skippers Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott to Michael Morgan, Chad Townsend and Jason Taumalolo, tryscoring machine Kyle Feldt has been guided by an array of astute leaders in North Queensland.
Feldt debuted under Thurston and Scott back in 2013 and helped them deliver the club its maiden title two years later, while 2017 took him to another decider with Scott Bolton at the helm in the grand final loss to the Storm.
Now, as he closes in on his 32nd birthday and a couple of enormous career milestones, Feldt is looking forward to ushering in a new era in Townsville with Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter sharing the captaincy.
“Both those guys are North Queenslanders at heart and I think it’s great for the club,” said Feldt, who is eight games shy of joining the 200 Club.
“They are homegrown heroes – Tom from Mackay and ‘Rubes’ from Sarina – so it’s really cool to see.
“I’ve had some great captains at this club and there’s no doubt those boys will lead us in the right direction.”
Halves to watch: Dearden's kicking game
After a rollercoaster 2023 campaign which saw him dropped in favour of Semi Valemei mid-season before being recalled for the final four games, Feldt hopes his experience and smarts can him lock down a spot in Todd Payten’s best 17.
“I had a chat with Todd at the end of last year and he said he was happy the way I held myself, I took accountability,” Feldt said.
“I didn’t go back and kick stones [when I got left out], I worked my way back into the team and I just want to build off that.
“I know if I keep going the way I finished the year then I’m going to be in the right position to start this year.
“We are blessed with the depth we have throughout the whole squad and being competitive people the way we go about our job it is pretty cut-throat out there on the track and you have to show the coaches you are putting your best foot forward every day.”
Feldt’s tally of 13 tries in 18 games last season took his career tally to 128, just two shy of Cowboys legend Matt Bowen’s club record of 130.
Breaking into the top grade late in the 2013 season, Feldt shared the stage with Bowen in the flashy fullback’s final three matches and now stands on the verge of breaking his 10-year-old record.
“The tries is a cool accolade and I know that will happen but the 200 games is something I have been trying to get for a while,” said Feldt, who will be granted life membership of the club when he reaches the milestone.
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“Being a local Townsville boy and seeing who is a life member of our club and what they have done for our club, I would like to be a part of that.
“It’s something I am realty striving for and it’s something I am really looking forward to not only myself but I know my family is as well.”
Feldt will join Thurston (294), Bowen (270), Scott (268), Taumalolo (252), Gavin Cooper (247), Bolton (246), Aaron Payne (219) and Paul Bowman (203) in an exclusive Cowboys club, with teammate Jake Granville (195) also closing in on the magical mark.