Cowboys.com.au will provide an in-depth positional analysis of the 2020 North Queensland Toyota Cowboys squad. We continue the series with the second-rowers with veteran Gavin Cooper joined by a number of budding stars.

The players are ranked by their NRL experience with their career numbers of games in brackets next to their name.

>>>> Part 1: Fullback <<<<

>>>> Part 2: Outside backs <<<<

>>>> Part 3: Halves <<<<

>>>> Part 4: Hooker <<<<

Gavin Cooper (308)

The Cowboys stalwart celebrated his landmark 300th game in 2019 and signed a one-year contract extension just prior to the end of the season. Cooper needs to play 15 games in 2020 to pass Scott Bolton for fourth-most appearances in club history.

Hess split time between second-row, centre and the interchange in 2019. After an impressive pre-season, the 23-year-old will look to reclaim his starting spot on the right edge next season.

Wright had to wait until Round 11 for his 2019 debut, but wouldn’t relinquish his spot for the remainder of the season. The 23-year-old will look to solidify his status as an NRL regular in 2020.

Injuries cut short what was shaping to be a breakout 2019 campaign for Dunn. A half in his junior days, Dunn now plies his trade as a skillful backrower and will look to push his case for a spot in Paul Green’s Round 1 side.

A former Kiwi schoolboys rugby star, Simpkins will likely start 2020 in the under 20s.

Condon starred for the Townsville Blackhawks under 20s last season and should push for a Queensland Cup debut in 2020.