Zac Laybutt has given North Queensland a lethal injection of speed and skill at right centre and credits new assistant coach James Maloney for giving him a licence to thrill.
The 22-year-old Papua New Guinea international scored two tries in a dazzling display in the 43-18 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
The Cowboys lost veteran centre Peta Hiku at the end of last year to the English Super League, and Laybutt has been given first crack at filling the void. It is now his jersey to lose.
Two-time premiership winner Maloney was a half who could control a game, but one of his strengths was being able to spot a flaw in the opposition's defensive line off-the-cuff and make them pay.
He was constantly scanning for opportunities and not bogged down by pre-planned formulas. It is an approach he has brought to his coaching at the Cowboys.
Laybutt's first try against the Dolphins came on the fifth play when the Cowboys ran the ball. His lightning speed and step flummoxed opposite number Tesi Niu, then he dummied to throw a one-handed flick, before racing past Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to score.
"It is eyes-up footy that we practise a lot at training," Laybutt said.
"It is off-the-cuff footy, which is a big thing that Jimmy Maloney loves.
"I was fortunate to grow up playing in the halves, and to do that you have to have that footy IQ.
"You get your hands on the ball in space like that and it is always good. Looking back, it did settle the nerves a little.
"All I want to do now is put my best foot forward every week and play some consistent footy."
Laybutt will get another chance to do exactly that against Newcastle in Townsville on Saturday night.
Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes was suspended at the end of last year, so Laybutt got his chance and stood out.
He played two games, scored three tries and made a statement with his speed and energy.
Holmes has been vocal in the pre-season about why Laybutt was a red-hot contender for the centre position vacated by Hiku.
"It all started last year when I was suspended and he came in and played and trained well," Holmes said.
"Then he performed in the Pacific Tests for PNG and had a really good pre-season.
"It is his (jersey) to lose and I am sure he will be there for a while."
