North Queensland Cowboys

North Queensland Cowboys

File:Nqcowboys.png
Club information
Full name	North Queensland Cowboys Rugby League Football Club
Founded	1995
Current details
Ground(s)	Dairy Farmers Stadium Townsville, Queensland (27,000)
CEO	Peter Parr
Coach	Neil Henry (incoming)
Captain	Johnathan Thurston
Competition	National Rugby League
2008	15th
Home jersey Home colours Away jersey Away colours
Current season
Records
Premierships	0
Runners-up	1 (2005)
Minor premierships	0
Most capped	203 – Paul Bowman
Highest points scorer	882 – Josh Hannay

The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's top rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership.

The Cowboys were admitted to the Australian Rugby League competition in 1995 and subsequently played in the Super League competition in 1997 and have featured in the current National Rugby League competition from 1998 to the present day. The club have never won a premiership, however, finished as runners-up in 2005.

The Cowboys play their home games at Dairy Farmers Stadium in the City of Townsville, North Queensland. On 28 August 2007 it was announced that after 6 years of ownership, News Limited had sold the team to the Cowboys League Club.

History

Further information: North Queensland Cowboys History

1995, 1996: Origins

See also: North Queensland Cowboys season 1995 and North Queensland Cowboys season 1996

The Cowboys name and team colours were decided by public competition in 1994.

One of the major difficulties that faced the club in their early years was attracting followers from the more established Queensland Rugby League side, the Brisbane Broncos. This was exacerbated by an initial lack of onfield success and stability. In their first two seasons, the Cowboys had eight different captains: Michael Rice, Adrian Vowles, Dean Schifilliti, Paul Tran, Jonathan Davies, Bret Sinclair, Tyler Kavanagh, Paul Galea, Chad Sexington, Kayla Supple, Ben Dover, and Mason Farrant.

1997: Super League

See also: North Queensland Cowboys season 1997

After much court action in 1995 and 1996, a ten team Super League competition was held in 1997. The Cowboys competed in this competition, and their squad was bolstered by a number of new signings including Ian Roberts and Steve Walters. However, they were unable to improve on the club's results in previous years, and for the second time in three seasons they were to finish the season in last place.

1998, 1999: National Rugby League

See also: North Queensland Cowboys season 1998 and North Queensland Cowboys season 1999

In 1998 the Super League and Australian Rugby League competitions merged to form the National Rugby League (NRL). The Cowboys began their first season in this competition strongly, and after six rounds they were in equal first place. Although they fell away later in the season, they were to record the largest come-back to date in an Australian first grade rugby league match, defeating the Penrith Panthers 36-28 after trailing 26-0 at half-time. 1998 also saw the Cowboys record their largest loss to date, being defeated 62-0 by the North Sydney Bears in the last round of the home and away season.

The Cowboys signed their eleventh captain in 1999, Noel Goldthorpe. Paul Bowman was also to serve in that role during the season. Although their on-field performances were not spectacular, continuing high attendance figures saw aggregate attendances exceed one million spectators.

2000-2004: Wooden spoon to finalists

See also: North Queensland Cowboys season 2000, North Queensland Cowboys season 2001, North Queensland Cowboys season 2002, North Queensland Cowboys season 2003, and North Queensland Cowboys season 2004

In the years 2000 through to 2002 the Cowboys continued to struggle with off-field dramas and poor on-field performances. After finishing last in 2000 and second last the following year, four losses at the start of the 2002 season saw coach Tim Sheens sacked and replaced by his assistant Murray Hurst. Although they finished in their highest position to date, coach Hurst was also sacked at early in the 2003 season, and replaced by Graham Murray. The Cowboys spent much of the 2003 season in the top eight with much improved performances from a host of players, including local talents Matt Bowen and Josh Hannay. The 2003 season ended with the Cowboys four points adrift of a top eight play-off position.

a signing ws made for 2004, Travis Norton. The club's tenth anniversary season began in much the same fashion as in earlier years, and after seven rounds the team had posted only one victory. However, in a remarkable turnaround of form, the Cowboys were able to win 12 of their remaining games and finish in seventh position at the end of the home and away season. For the first time, the Cowboys were part of final eight, and in the mix at business end of the season: the 2004 NRL finals series. Remarkably, the Cowboys' new status in the game afforded them their first free-to-air televised game in their history. Whilst Channel Nine had all but ignored the Townsville-based team, a place in the finals had the public beating the drum for coverage. This provided Channel Nine with a last minute opportuntity to jump on the Cowboys bandwagon, with Nine Commentator Ray "Rabbits" Warren branding the Cowboys as "2004's fairytale team". But for many fans throughout Queensland and in other states, such accolades were all to late from the NRL's chief free-to-air television provider who had failed to deliever coverage of the national competition.

In their first finals match they played a Qualifying Final against the eventual premiers Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium. Against expectation the Cowboys defeated the Bulldogs 30-22. A week later at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville they defeated the Brisbane Broncos 10-0 in a Semi-Final. This was the first time that they had ever defeated the Broncos. The road to the grand final ended for the Cowboys when they were controversially defeated by the Sydney Roosters 19-16. Many fans and media alike were disgruntled at the handling of the final minutes of the elimination game by referee Paul Simpkins, and his refusal to allow the Cowboys to pack a scrum with seconds left on the clock. Suggestions of a Sydney-bias by referee Simpkins have continued to overshadow both his career and what many fans regarded as a classic finals match. Simpkin was not considered for the grand final refereeing duties.

2005: Grand finalists

See also: North Queensland Cowboys season 2005

The Cowboys followed their success in 2004 by opening their season with 5 straight victories. They finished the 2005 season in fifth place, after 14 wins and 10 losses. The team's performance led to six Cowboys being represented in the Queensland State of Origin team: Paul Bowman, Matt Bowen, Ty Williams, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Sing and Carl Webb. Thurston was also rewarded by winning the NRL's best and fairest player award: the Dally M Medal.

In the first week of the finals the Cowboys travelled to Telstra Stadium where they were defeated by Wests Tigers 50-6. They were more successful in their second and third weeks of the finals, in which they defeated the Melbourne Storm 24-16 and Parramatta Eels 29-0 and qualified for the NRL Grand Final for the first time.

The grand final saw them once more facing the Tigers. Although Matthew Bowen scored the first try of the match, the Tigers were too strong for the Cowboys and won the match 30-16.

2006/2007

See also: North Queensland Cowboys season 2006 and North Queensland Cowboys season 2007

Dairy Farmers Stadium is the home ground of the North Queensland Cowboys. It hosted two qualifying finals in 2007.

The Cowboys started off the year by winning 6 straight games. One of the teams they defeated were to become the premiers, the Brisbane Broncos. They then fell into a hole, winning only 5 of the last 19 games, making them finish 9th on the ladder, just missing out of the finals. Much criticism has been directed at coach Murray for not sticking with a stable scrumbase pairing throughout 2006, with a number of players such as Brett Firman and Brent McConnell seen as unable to support the talents of playmaker Johnathan Thurston. The Cowboys finished the final round of regular season with a convincing win over the Parramatta Eels to give their fans some hope for 2007. Particularly impressive were hooker Aaron Payne and fullback Matthew Bowen, who recaptured some of his magic and regained some much needed form heading into the off season. Other players who have impressed throughout 2006 include Australian representative player Luke O'Donnell, as well as Carl Webb who struggled for much of the year with injuries. The ever reliable Paul Bowman continued to show the hard fought spirit of the team despite a neck injury that struck him down at the close of the season. Aaron Payne also capped off a strong year for the club to be named Cowboy of the Year for 2006. 2006 also saw the departure of several key personal, including legendary strength and conditioner Billy Johnstone - to the Gold Coast Titans - and assistant coach Neil Henry accepted a head coaching position with the Canberra Raiders. The Cowboys announced that tough talking former English Super League coach Ian Millward would replace Henry as Graham Murray's assistant, with Glen Murphy taking over from Johnstone. The 2007 season turned out to be a great one for the Cowboys. Finishing 3rd overall on the premiership ladder, their highest finish to date, they ensured a home preliminary final. Despite season ending injuries to Luke O'Donnell, Shane Tronc and Steve Southern and the 7 week suspension of Sione Faumuina, the Cowboys managed to win their last 5 games of the season without the majority of their experienced forward pack. Most notably Ray Cashmere and Sam Faust ( who was a brilliant replacement for Luke O'Donnell) have assumedly secured his spot in the starting 17 for the 2007 final series and into 2008. 2007 also saw 20 year old Ben Farrar make his stamp on the Cowboys scoring 4 tries in 2 games, 2 in round 21 and 2 in round 25, having missed 4 weeks due to injury. Ashley Graham was an excellent asset to the team, scoring 17 tries in 19 games. Cowboys stars Matt Bowen and captain Johnathan Thurston displayed excellent form through the year with Bowen leading the top try scorer count with 21. Despite some injury concerns in the last half of the season, Thurston has maintained his key-player status by setting up match winning plays and scoring 164 points. In September Thurston won the Dally M Player of the Year Award and the Halfback of the Year Award, both for the second time in three years. Bowen also claimed two awards with Fullback of the Year and leading try scorer of the year, the later tied with Melbourne Storm rookie, Israel Folau. During the final series, the Cowboys defeated both the Canterbury Bulldogs and the New Zealand Warriors to set up a preliminary final with the Manly Sea Eagles. The Cowboys lost 28 to 6, eliminating them from the finals series.

2008/2009

See also: North Queensland Cowboys season 2008 and North Queensland Cowboys season 2009

2009 Squad

Number	Nat	Player	Position
1		Matt Bowen	Full Back
2		Ty Williams	Wing
3	|	Ben Harris	Centre
4		Shannon Hegarty	Centre
5		Willie Tonga	Wing
6		Grant Rovelli	Stand Off
7		Johnathon Thurston	Scrum Half
8		Antonio Kaufusi	Prop
9		Aaron Payne	Hooker
10		Shane Tronc	Front Rower
11		Manase Manukafoa	Second Row
12		Carl Webb	Second Row
13		Luke O'Donnell	Lock
14		Matt Scott	prop
15		George Gatis	Hooker
16		Steve Southern	Second Rower
17		Travis Burns	Standoff
19		Ashley Graham	Centre
26		Ben Farrar	Winger

Notable players

Further information: North Queensland Cowboys rugby league players

In 2004, the North Queensland Cowboys conducted a poll asking fans to vote on the best players who ever wore Cowboy colours. After polling had finished the club released the overall best team to celebrate the team's 10th anniversary.

No. Position Player 1 Matt Bowen – FB 2 Ty Williams – WG 3 Josh Hannay – CE 4 Paul Bowman – CE 5 Matt Sing – WG 6 Julian O'Neill – FE 7 Laurie Spina – HB

No. Position Player 8 Carl Webb – PR 9 Steve Walters – HK 10 Paul Rauhihi – PR 11 Kevin Campion – SR 12 Luke O'Donnell – SR 13 Glenn Morrison – LK Graham Murray – positions (coach)

Coaching Staff

In April, 2008, It was announced that former Cowboys assistant coach and current Canberra Raiders head coach, Neil Henry, has signed a five year deal with the team as head coach commencing in 2009.

Position	Name	Years
Head Coach	Ian Millward	2008
Assistant Coach	Matt Parish	2007 -
Assistant Coach	Paul Bowman	2008 -
General Manager	Dean Lance	2008-
Strength & Conditioning Coach	Glen Murphy	2007-

Previous Coaches

First Grade

Name	Years
Graham Murray	2002-2008
Murray Hurst	2001-2002
Tim Sheens	1997-2001
Graham Lowe	1996
Grant Bell	1995

Under 20's

Name	Years
Grant Bell	2008-

National Youth Competition

The Cowboys also have a team in the NYC for players under twenty years of age.

The team is coached by Kristian Woolf.

The 2008 Cowboys Under 20's squad is:

• Nathan Barraclough
• Steven Beaumont
• Brandon Boor
• Sam Bowie
• Ryan Carr
• Jared Cockburn
• Robbie Congoo
• Jack Cooper
• Steven Eliott
• Leo Faagutu
• Chris Faust
• Obe Geia
• Blayne Harling
• Cameron Heading
• Ben Henaway
• Dane Hogan
• Tom Humble
• Jared Huston
• Scott Idec
• Chippie Korostchuck
• Ben Lancini
• Josh Land
• Joel Lillyman
• Ryan Mahoney
• Shaun Maloney
• Tyson Martin
• Joel McCrae
• Ben Morgan
• James Munns
• Brady Payne
• Chris Riesen
• Nick Slyney
• Dylan Smith
• Ben Spina
• Songhie Tatipata
• Ray Thompson
• Darren Tonihi
• Daniel Vineula
• Bayley Wilson

Feeder Clubs

• Northern Pride - based in Cairns, Queensland
• Mackay Cutters - based in Mackay, Queensland

The Cowboys players who do not make the run on teams for either the NRL or NYC sides train and play with 'feeder' sides in the Queensland Cup. These teams, based in the north Queensland cities of Cairns and Mackay, are separate entities but are affiliated with the Cowboys.

Corporate

Position	Name
CEO	Peter Parr
Chairman	Laurence Lancini
Director	Paul Travis
Director	Frank Stanton
Director	Lewis Ramsay
Director	Gordon Tallis
Principal Sponsor	Toyota

See also

• North Queensland Cowboys rugby league players
• List of North Queensland Cowboys Records
• List of North Queensland Cowboys Honours
• List of North Queensland Cowboys seasons

References

• The Official NRL 2003 Season Guide
• The Official NRL 2004 Season Guide
• The Official NRL 2005 Season Guide
• 2004 Official Rugby League Annual Big League Special Edition
• 2005 Official Rugby League Annual Big League Special Edition
• History of Rugby League Clubs in Australia (Book)Author: Sean Fagan
• Super League The Magazine Volume 1 - 20

External links

• North Queensland Cowboys Official Website
• Under 20's player profiles
• NRL player profiles
• Cowboys Stampede - Supporter Website and Forums
• North Queensland Cowboys Club History
• Cowboys history at rl1908.com
• North Queensland Cowboys Stats