Petero Civoniceva Medal update: Playmakers dominate as count goes private

“He’s a great kid,” Smith said.

“Very, very calm, collected… very good understanding of the game. He’s been a big driving force behind the way that we play our football, along with (hooker and captain) Kyle Schneider.

“We didn’t get to see Duff until the captain’s run before Round 1. That was the first time he actually trained with us and met a lot of players but he slipped straight in.

“For a young kid, he’s very composed and controlled and a really calming influence, which I think is just what we need in such a young squad.”

With the Pride travelling so well – sitting second place on the Cup ladder with seven wins and three losses – Duffy could lose points throughout the season to his teammates, with a number of players doing their part.

But Smith said that was what made the 20-year-old’s efforts so far all the more impressive.

“Sometimes the teams that are going well, they can have quite a few good players who take points off each other,” he said.

“So, the fact we’re performing quite well and he’s sitting quite high, that’s impressive. When there’s so many good players, to be standing above is a really good reward for him and the rest of the team.

“Duff would attest that his job can only be done when the rest of the team is around him and doing their jobs.”

The Pride will continue their 2024 campaign this Saturday in a blockbuster showdown against the Burleigh Bears, who are placed fourth.

Duffy will be wearing the No.7 jersey again, set to pair in the halves with Dantoray Lui, with Jake Clifford named for the Cowboys.

Earlier this year, Duffy acted as the 18th player for the Cowboys but is yet to make his NRL debut.

However, Smith is confident that if Duffy’s form continues as is, the 20-year-old could be on track to have that first taste of first grade by the end of this season.

“I’d love to see him make his debut this year,” Smith said.

“I don’t know when it will come but I have no doubt he will make it at some point. As much as we’d hate to not have Duff playing with us, we would 100 per cent support him making that debut at some point and it would be a great reward.

“I know he’s working towards that. He’s a master of his own craft and is always watching videos and previewing oppositions.

“He’s always looking to improve that work ethic on and off the field. That calmness he brings and control, I’m sure that’s what the Cows love about him and at some point he will make his debut.”

Below Duffy on the Petero Civoniceva Medal tally is fellow playmaker, Townsville's Matthew Wright, and injured Souths Logan Magpies fullback Tristan Sailor.

The standings following Round 12 are below, with the top nine players listed.

Voting will now go behind closed doors with the winner to be announced at the 2024 QRL Awards, following the end of the regular season.

Petero Civoniceva Medal standings after Round 12

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