North Queensland coach Todd Payten has offered a strange explanation for stripping gun forward Jason Taumalolo of the club captaincy.

And he’s conceded both Taumalolo and Chad Townsend were “surprised” when told they would no longer be co-captains, before the announcement of Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter to the roles on Sunday.

“Looking at our group, a few guys right at the back end of their career and over the course of the next 12 months or next two seasons, they won’t be here for a number of reasons and we needed to make a shift in that regard so that we had enough time to give the support that Tommy and Reubs need to develop into the best captain they can be when all that experience is gone.”

Team halfback Townsend is off contract and 33 years old.