North Queensland coach Todd Payten always thought Tom Chester could be a good centre, and now he believes the 24-year-old could be the NRL's next world-class talent.
The Cowboys ran riot in a 46-34 victory against Cronulla on Friday night in Townsville, and Chester played a big part in the bounce-back win after getting thumped 38-6 by Manly last round.
Carving up a game-high 163 running metres along with nine tackle busts and two line breaks, the 24-year-old North Queensland local was prolific.
It comes after he missed the 2025 season with a knee injury, but inked a three-year deal to stay with the Cowboys earlier in April.
The 24-year-old has had a stellar start to 2026, averaging more than 180 metres per game, despite first coming to North Queensland as a fullback in 2022.
"Through his effort, he's going to come out the other side, and he's going to potentially be a world-class centre," Payten said.
"I always told him in the past couple of years that I think he would make a good centre.
"He's had an ambition to play fullback, but it's about the team, and he's enjoying what he's doing out there."
The left centre didn't have a stellar defensive display, as the Sharks terrorised the Cowboys' edges, but regardless, Payten knows he will put his head down and improve.
The coach will have to worry about the more immediate future of winger Murray Taulagi after he sustained a suspected second concussion in three weeks.
Taulagi scored a hat-trick on his return from a head knock against Brisbane in round six.
"It's not great," the coach said.
"He's going to be out for several weeks. I don't know how long exactly, but it's definitely two weeks plus."
Payten said 24-year-old Zac Laybutt will most likely replace him, having played in the No.5 jersey last round.
The Cowboys will now look to win their sixth game in seven matches when they face Canterbury next Friday.
