North Queensland Cowboys

Since joining the club in 2021, Laybutt appeared in four games in his maiden NRL season, including a two-try performance in the Round 26 victory over The Dolphins.

Laybutt debuted for Cowboys in round 13 against Parramatta Eels this year.

The PNG international spent the 2023 season on a train and replacement contract. With impressive performances, both in the NRL with Cowboys and with PNG Kumuls in Pacific Championships, Zac was promoted to the top 30 squad.

With Jock Madden doing a fine job deputising for Adam Reynolds, and Ezra Mam again electric, the Broncos racked up their 16th win of the season.

The Cowboys looked to have made the perfect star when Kyle Feldt launched himself into the corner but he was denied by some desperate Kotoni Staggs cover defence.

Just a minute later the Broncos marched down field and opened their account through Jesse Arthars try courtesy of a superb long ball by Madden.

In a see-sawing Queensland derby, the Titans took a unique nine-point lead shortly after half-time through tries to Jayden Campbell and Alofiana Khan-Pereira after the Cowboys led 13-10 at the break. 

Both sides had their chances in the final 35 minutes but neither team could get over the line for the remainder of the second half with the Cowboys' loss putting a dent in their finals hopes with the Knights and Sea Eagles hot on their heels.

However, the side did manage to show what they can do in the final 15 minutes of the match where they scored three late tries, but it was a case of much too little, much too late.

The Cowboys however recorded another strong win - their sixth in a row - against Parramatta to move into the top eight and will be keen to keep their streak going in this week's Queensland derby.

However, they will be without the strike of Jeremiah Nanai, who suffered a high-grade AC joint injury in the win against the Eels.

After putting 45 points on the Storm in Round 14 the Cowboys outlasted Penrith in a golden point thriller and then piled on five tries in a 31-6 demolition of the Rabbitohs.

With their back three of Scott Drinkwater, Semi Valemei and Murray Taulagi combining for 575 running metres the Cowboys got on the front foot early and dominated the Rabbitohs, but fresh in coach Todd Payten's mind will be the fact the Tigers embarrassed his men 66-18 at Leichhardt Oval just six weeks ago.

Essay Banu, Sera Koroi, Shellie Long, and Jessikah Reeves, who made their mark together during the World Cup, have joined forces once again, this time in Townsville.

Under the guidance of their former PNG Orchids head coach Ben Jeffries, the four athletes have reunited with him at the Cowboys, marking the team's entry into the NRLW.

The Cowboys continued their resurgence with a thrilling 27-23 golden point victory over the Panthers in Townsville on Friday night.

In the absence of their Origin stars it was playmaker Tom Dearden and returning big man Jason Taumalolo who came to the fore as the Cowboys racked up a seventh win of the season.

In the early going it was the Panthers striking first after just three minutes on the back of a penalty against Chad Townsend for late contact on Jack Cogger after he had put in a kick.

While North Queensland will take the field refreshed from a Round 15 bye, the Panthers head to Townsville on the back of a comprehensive, but physically taxing, 30-6 victory over the Roosters. 

Penrith haven't lost a game in six weeks, while the Cowboys' last performance – a 45-20 win over the Storm – was arguably their best of the season. 

At Queensland Country Bank Stadium this year the Cowboys have won five of seven games and they were winners the last time they faced the Panthers too. 

Zac Laybutt, who is the younger brother of Kumuls Five-Eight Kyle Laybutt will be making his debut at Center replacing Valentine Homes who is out on State of Origin duty.

Robert Derby will be on the wing in place of Murray Tauilagi who is also in the Queensland Maroons camp.

Both players have been part of the PNG Kumuls team and were considered future PNG Kumuls players. Having called up for the first grade debut is a huge achievement for both lads but even more, it is win for PNG Kumuls team.

Watched on by family, friends and former team-mates, including Mitchell Moses and Josh Reynolds, Brooks was at his attacking best; running 213 metres with the ball and laying on two tries as Wests Tigers romped to their third win in four weeks.

The win was the first in the history of Wests Tigers or the 1908 foundation clubs who formed the joint venture in 2000, Balmain or Western Suburbs, in which they had scored 66 points.

The 48-point margin was also the heaviest defeat by a Cowboys team since North Queensland joined the premiership in 1995.