How ‘mental fatigue’ sparked Cowboy’s shock exit

A surprise “full circle” moment has revived the mentality and drive of Valentine Holmes.
Following weeks of uncertainty and speculation around his future, Holmes confirmed he will don the Red V in 2025.
With the Cowboys under salary cap pressures combined with his own “mental fatigue”, the opportunity to reunite with former coach Shane Flanagan was too good to pass up.
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With the departure of Zac Lomax at the end of the season, the Dragons hinted at a major coup for Holmes to fill the hole.
The 29-year-old has faced heavy criticism over his performances throughout the season, but with his future confirmed, he did not shy away from reminding the NRL of his capabilities.
Holmes starred for his side, scoring a hat-trick in the Cowboys 42-4 demolition of the Raiders.
Valentine Holmes scores a try against the Raiders in round 24. NRL Images
The season-best performance prompted Lockyer to believe Holmes has acquired a clearer state of mind since sealing his fate with the Dragons.
“He played well against the Raiders. Maybe he’s got a clearer mind,” Lockyer said on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER podcast.
“I think (coach Todd Payten) has been bubbling away in the background with Val for a while.
“When you’re trying to decide your future and you’re not certain where that is that can affect your football.
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“(Holmes) is still doing some good things but there are times where he’s making errors. I think he’s been mentally a little bit fatigued.
“He is on record saying he didn’t want to leave but they’ve got cap pressures and they’ve got some young kids coming through in the centres.
“I think it’s a good outcome for the Cowboys and Val. I think it’s a new chapter for him but it will be a good one for the Dragons too.
“But now that’s out of the way I think you’ll see a really good Val Holmes for the rest of the season.”
Holmes in action.  Getty
Holmes developed a strong bond with Flanagan during his time at the Sharks, where he was a member of the club’s maiden premiership-winning team in 2016.
The pair’s relationship was briefly strained when the Maroons representative left the Shire to pursue his NFL dream.
However, prior hostility has since been dismissed, with Flanagan making a trip to Townsville in a bid to steal Holmes’ signature.
“It’s a full circle moment. I started in Townsville, went to Cronulla, came back to Townsville and now I’m going back to Cronulla to play for the Dragons,” Holmes told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“To Flanno’s credit, to come up here when he had a big game that week, to talk to my wife and I, I thought it was pretty cool. Obviously, it worked in the end.
“There’s obviously more to it: the salary cap problem, with my contract back-ended. They’ve got a lot of young players coming through that they (the Cowboys) don’t want to lose.
“You need to sacrifice one to sign a few more boys coming through. It’s good, I don’t want to keep anyone from making their debuts or having to move at a young age. It’s business.
“As long as I’m going to a club that wants me, I’m excited by it.”
His shock departure from North Queensland sees Todd Payten’s starting line next season over 600 games less in experience, with veteran halfback Chad Townsend signing with the Roosters.
The Cowboys will face the Storm and the Bulldogs ahead of the finals.