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North Queensland young gun Jaxon Purdue wants to partner Tom Dearden in the halves this year, while his versatility has him in the frame to be in the top 17.

A three-way battle for the North Queensland halfback spot is set to ramp up, and 19-year-old schoolboy star Jaxon Purdue is excited by the tussle.

Purdue was the Cowboys' rookie of the year in 2024 after showcasing his speed, try-scoring ability and game sense in eight games off the bench and in the outside backs.

The graduate from St Patrick's College in Mackay played his junior football in the halves, which is where he has trained in pre-season.

Veteran half Chad Townsend has moved to the Sydney Roosters and is out of the picture. 

Jake Clifford was preferred to Townsend at the end of last season and has his nose in front of Purdue and former Australian Schoolboy star Thomas Duffy to partner Queensland and Australia No.6 Tom Dearden in the halves.

An advantage Purdue does possess to be somewhere in the 17 is his versatility, even though last year was the first time he had played as a centre.  With Valentine Holmes now at St George Illawarra and Zac Laybutt still coming back from an ACL injury, the centre position is still open. 

"I will play anywhere (coach) Todd (Payten) wants me, to be honest,"  Purdue said.

"I don't mind if it is half, centre or fullback. Growing up and playing in the halves my whole junior career, I am most comfortable to play there."

Purdue acknowledged he was not the front-runner to play No.7 just yet.

"I would say 'Cliffo', based on his performance at the back end of last year, but it makes us all better players when there are spots to be competing for," he said.

"I am always looking to Duff and Cliffo to bounce off, and now that (co-captain and No.6) Tom Dearden is back it is about getting in his head, asking him questions and being ready for anything."

Purdue must enhance areas of his game to snare the halfback jersey.

"Definitely my communication. Duff and Cliffo's communication is next level," he said.

"My fitness is there, but I probably need to work on my kicking game. Chad Townsend's kicking game last year was outstanding."

Purdue, who has bulked up 7kg in the past year to weigh in at 85kg, showed last season that he does not shy away from the big moment, injecting himself to score a match-winning late try against Canterbury last year. 

He said he was learning quickly in the pre-season about the need to stay calm and to back himself, qualities that are vital for any successful half.

"It is my first full pre-season in the NRL squad. I have loved every minute of it and I am ready to rip into 2025," Purdue said.