North Queensland Cowboys facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
 North Queensland Cowboys 

Club information
Full name	North Queensland Cowboys Rugby League Football Club
Nickname(s)	Cowboys
Website	cowboys.com.au
Colours	Navy Blue      Grey      Gold
Founded	30 November 1992; 32 years ago (30 November 1992)
Current details
Ground(s)	North Queensland Stadium (25,000)
CEO	Jeff Reibel
Chairman	Lewis Ramsay
Coach	Todd Payten
Captain	Reuben Cotter Tom Dearden
Competition	National Rugby League
2025 season	16th
Records
Premierships	1 (2015)
Runners-up	2 (2005, 2017)
Minor premiership	0
World Club Challenge	1 (2016)
NRL Nines	2 (2014, 2020)
Wooden spoons	3 (1995, 1997 (SL), 2000)
Most capped	294 - Johnathan Thurston
Highest points scorer	2,182 - Johnathan Thurston

The North Queensland Cowboys is a professional rugby league team from Townsville, Australia. They play in Australia's top rugby league competition, the National Rugby League (NRL).

Since starting in 1995, the Cowboys have played in three Grand Finals. They won their first championship in 2015. The team's home ground is North Queensland Stadium, also known as Queensland Country Bank Stadium. It is located in South Townsville.

The Cowboys joined the league in the 1995 ARL season. They played in the Super League in 1997. Then, they joined the new NRL competition in 1998. After some money problems in 2001, the club was taken over by News Limited. In 2007, the Cowboys Leagues Club bought the team.

In 2015, the Cowboys played in the first Grand Final between two Queensland teams. They beat the Brisbane Broncos 17–16 in extra time to win their first championship.

Team History: The Cowboys' Journey

Chart of yearly table positions for North Queensland Cowboys in First Grade Rugby League

Early Years: 1995–1996

In 1993, the NSWRL announced that a team from North Queensland would join the competition in 1995. It was hard for the Cowboys to attract fans at first. Many people already supported the Brisbane Broncos. The Cowboys also struggled to win games. In their first season, they finished last. They had eight different captains in their first two years.

Super League Challenge: 1997

In 1997, a new competition called Super League was formed. The Cowboys joined this league. They signed new players like Ian Roberts and Steve Walters. However, they still finished last for the second time in three seasons.

The Cowboys' first Super League game was a 24–16 win. They played against the Adelaide Rams on March 1 at Stockland Stadium. Over 17,000 fans watched the game.

Joining the NRL: 1998–1999

In 1998, the Super League and Australian Rugby League joined to create the National Rugby League (NRL). The Cowboys started their first NRL season well. They were tied for first place after six games. Later in the season, they made a huge comeback. They beat the Penrith Panthers 36–28 after being down 26–0 at halftime. This was the biggest comeback in Australian rugby league history at the time.

In 1999, Noel Goldthorpe became the Cowboys' eleventh captain. Paul Bowman also captained the team that year. Even though they didn't win many games, over one million fans attended their matches. Paul Green became the Cowboys' first player to represent Queensland in the 1999 State of Origin series.

Getting Better: 2000–2003

From 2000 to 2002, the Cowboys faced problems off the field. They also struggled with coaches and poor game results. After finishing last in 2000, Tim Sheens resigned as coach in 2001. Murray Hurst took over. In 2002, Hurst was replaced by Graham Murray. Murray helped the team become much more competitive.

In 2003, the Cowboys spent most of the season in the top eight. Players like Matt Bowen and Josh Hannay played much better. They ended the 2003 season just four points shy of making the finals.

First Finals and Grand Final: 2004–2005

The Cowboys started 2004 slowly, with only one win from five games. But they turned things around in the second half of the season. They finished 7th, making the top eight for the first time ever.

Their amazing year continued in the finals. They upset the second-placed Canterbury team 30–22. Matt Sing scored three tries in that game. The next week, they beat their rivals, the Brisbane Broncos, 10–0. This was one of the club's most famous wins. They lost to the Sydney Roosters 19–16, just missing the Grand Final.

In 2005, North Queensland went even further. They reached their first Grand Final. With new players like Carl Webb and Johnathan Thurston, they finished 5th. They lost the Grand Final to the Wests Tigers. In his first year with the Cowboys, Johnathan Thurston won the Dally M Medal. He also played for Queensland in State of Origin.

More Progress: 2006–2007

In 2006, the Cowboys started with six wins in a row. They looked set for another finals appearance. However, they only won five more games and finished 9th.

The 2007 season saw the Cowboys make the finals for the third time. They finished in the top four. They beat the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs by two points in Townsville. The next week, they defeated the New Zealand Warriors by 37 points. They again fell one game short of the Grand Final, losing to Manly 28–6. Club legend Paul Bowman retired in 2007.

Johnathan Thurston won his second Dally M Medal. Matt Bowen was named Dally M Fullback of the Year.

Tough Times: 2008–2010

Former Cowboys' lock Luke O'Donnell

At the start of 2008, the club announced that coach Graham Murray would not stay. After only three wins in ten games, Murray resigned. Assistant coach Ian Millward took over but only won two more games. The team faced many injuries and problems. The Cowboys finished 15th, avoiding last place by a small margin.

In 2009, Neil Henry became the new coach. He had won Coach of the Year the previous year. However, the Cowboys had another tough season, finishing 12th. Matthew Bowen scored his 100th try, becoming the first Cowboy to do so. Future Australian player James Tamou also made his debut.

The 2010 season started with questions about Johnathan Thurston's contract. He re-signed for three more seasons. But the team still struggled, finishing 15th. They would have finished last if not for the Melbourne Storm's salary cap issues. Scott Bolton became a key player. Matthew Scott made his international debut. Jason Taumalolo became the youngest Cowboy ever to play, at 17 years and 82 days old.

Back to the Finals: 2011–2013

After missing the finals for three years, the Cowboys made many changes for 2011. Club legend Ty Williams retired. Key players like Luke O'Donnell and Carl Webb left. They signed new players like Brent Tate, Dallas Johnson, Glenn Hall, and Gavin Cooper.

These new players helped the team a lot. The Cowboys spent most of the year in the top four. They finished 7th, making the finals for the first time since 2007. They were the most-watched NRL club on pay television that year.

In 2012, North Queensland returned to the finals, finishing 5th. They beat the Brisbane Broncos 33–16 in the first week, with Michael Morgan scoring three tries. They lost to Manly the next week in a controversial game. Club legend Aaron Payne retired after ten years.

The Cowboys made the finals again in 2013, for three years in a row. They finished 8th. After a bad start, they won six games in a row after coach Neil Henry was let go. They were knocked out in Week 1 of the finals after a controversial loss to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Club legend Matthew Bowen played his last NRL season. He then joined the Wigan Warriors in England. Ashley Graham and Dallas Johnson also retired.

On October 1, 2013, former Cowboys player Paul Green became the new head coach. He was the first former Cowboys player to coach the club.

A New Era and First Championship: 2014–2017

The Cowboys started 2014 by winning the first NRL Auckland Nines tournament. They beat the Brisbane Broncos 16–7 in the final.

After a tough start to the season with many injuries, the Cowboys made a late push to the finals. They finished 5th and beat the Brisbane Broncos 32–20. They then lost a close game to the Sydney Roosters 31–30 in Sydney.

In 2015, North Queensland had their best regular season ever. They won a club record 11 games in a row and finished with 17 wins. In September, Johnathan Thurston won a record fourth Dally M Medal.

On September 26, 2015, North Queensland reached their second Grand Final. They beat the Melbourne Storm 32–12. In the Grand Final, they defeated the Brisbane Broncos 17–16. Thurston kicked the winning field goal in extra time to win the Cowboys their first championship. He also won the Clive Churchill Medal.

On February 21, 2016, the club won their first World Club Challenge. They were crowned the world's best club after beating the Leeds Rhinos 38–4 in England. The club finished 4th in the 2016 NRL season. They lost to the Cronulla Sharks 32–20, missing out on defending their title.

In 2017, the Cowboys reached their third Grand Final. This was amazing because co-captains Johnathan Thurston and Matthew Scott were out with injuries. They were only the second team to reach the Grand Final from 8th place. They lost to the Melbourne Storm.

Saying Goodbye to Legends: 2018–2019

Many people thought the Cowboys would do well in 2018 with Thurston and Scott back. Instead, they struggled and finished 13th. The 2018 season was Johnathan Thurston's last. He retired after 14 seasons, 294 games, and one championship with the club. In his final game, the Cowboys beat the Titans 30–26.

Despite a tough 2018 and losing Thurston, many expected the Cowboys to make the finals in 2019. But they had another disappointing year, finishing 14th. Club legends Matthew Scott and Scott Bolton also retired. Both were part of the 2015 championship team and played their whole NRL careers at the club. The Cowboys played their last game at Willows Sports Complex, winning 15–8 against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Rebuilding and Return to Finals: 2020–2022

After two seasons without making the finals, North Queensland started rebuilding for the 2020 NRL season. They signed Valentine Holmes, an Australian and Queensland representative. Holmes, who grew up in Townsville, signed a six-year deal after playing for the New York Jets in the NFL.

On July 20, 2020, Paul Green resigned as coach after only three wins in ten games. Assistant coach Josh Hannay became the interim coach. On September 4, 2020, Todd Payten, a former assistant coach, was announced as the new head coach starting in 2021.

Under Payten, the Cowboys had another tough season in 2021, finishing 15th with seven wins.

In 2022, the club returned to the finals after four seasons. They finished 3rd in the regular season, matching their club record of 17 wins. They fell one game short of the Grand Final. Todd Payten was named the Dally M Coach of the Year.

North Queensland started the 2023 NRL season poorly. They won only three of their first ten games. In round 12, they had one of their worst losses, 66–18 against the Wests Tigers. But in round 18, North Queensland had their biggest win in the NRL era, defeating the Wests Tigers 74–0. This was the third biggest victory in Australian rugby league history.

North Queensland finished the 2023 NRL season in 11th place and missed the finals. In the final round, they needed to beat Penrith to make the finals but lost 44–12. In the 2024 NRL season, North Queensland finished 5th and made the finals. They beat Newcastle in the elimination final but lost to Cronulla in the semi-final the next week.

Season Results: How the Cowboys Have Performed

Player Records: Who Played Best?

Current Team: 2025 NRL Squad

Famous Players: Notable Cowboys

Since 1995, many Cowboys players have played for their state or country.

10th Anniversary Team

In 2004, fans voted for the best Cowboys players to celebrate the team's 10th anniversary.

20th Anniversary Team

In 2015, the Cowboys celebrated 20 years. A panel of former coaches picked the 20-year team.

25th Anniversary Team

In 2020, the Cowboys celebrated 25 years. Fans voted for the 25-year team. New players included Kyle Feldt, Michael Morgan, and Jason Taumalolo. John Asiata was chosen as the best utility player.

Cowboys Hall of Fame

In 2015, the Cowboys started their Hall of Fame. Players must have played at least 100 NRL games for the club. They also must have been retired for at least two years. A special panel chooses the inductees based on their skill, leadership, and awards.

In 2019, Matthew Bowen was added to the Hall of Fame.

Coaches: Leading the Team

The Cowboys' current coach is Todd Payten. He became the club's tenth coach in 2021.

Awards and Achievements: Cowboys' Honours

At the end of each season, the Cowboys give out awards. The most important is the Paul Bowman Medal. This award is for the best and fairest player of the year. Coaching staff vote for the best players after each game.

Jason Taumalolo won the Paul Bowman Medal four times in a row, starting in 2016. Paul Bowman himself won it twice (1999, 2000). Other two-time winners include Luke O'Donnell (2004, 2009), Aaron Payne (2006, 2008), and Matt Scott (2010, 2013). Johnathan Thurston won the award four times (2005, 2012, 2014, 2015). The first winner was Wayne Sing in 1995.

In 2014, the Cowboys won their first major trophy. They won the first NRL Auckland Nines tournament. They beat the Brisbane Broncos 16–7 in the final. A year later, the Cowboys won their first NRL championship. They defeated the Broncos 17–16 in extra time. Johnathan Thurston won the Clive Churchill Medal for being the best player in the Grand Final.

In 2020, the Cowboys won the NRL Nines again. They were the first club to win it twice. They beat the St George Illawarra Dragons 23–14 in the final. Scott Drinkwater was named the Player of the Tournament.

Team Facts: Statistics and Records

After a 10-year break from the finals, the Cowboys made it in 2004. They almost reached the Grand Final. The next year, they played in their first Grand Final but lost to the Wests Tigers. Ten years later, in 2015, they played in their second Grand Final. They beat their rivals, the Brisbane Broncos, in an exciting game. Johnathan Thurston kicked a field goal in extra time to win their first championship.

The club's Under 20s team finished second in the 2011 NYC Grand Final. Their feeder teams have won the Queensland Cup four times. These wins were in 2005, 2010, 2013, and 2014.

Fullback Matthew Bowen holds the record for most games played and most tries scored for the club. He also holds the record for most tries in a season, with 22 in 2007. Paul Bowman was the first Cowboy to play 200 first-grade games in 2007. Johnathan Thurston and Josh Hannay share the record for most points in a match, with 24 points each. Hannay scored 10 goals against South Sydney in 2003. Johnathan Thurston holds the record for most points in a season, with 234 points in 2014. Winger Ray Mercy is the only Cowboy to score four tries in a match. He did this against Balmain in 1998.

The Cowboys' biggest win was by 74 points. They beat the Wests Tigers 74–0 in 2023. Their biggest loss was 62–0 against the Parramatta Eels in 2001.

Home Ground: Where the Cowboys Play

View of the Cowboys former home ground, Willows Sports Complex

From 1995 to 2019, the Cowboys played at Willows Sports Complex. This stadium is in Kirwan, Townsville. Before 1995, it was a horse racing track. It was changed into a rugby league stadium for the Cowboys.

The stadium was called Stockland Stadium in 1995 due to sponsorship. Over 23,000 fans came to the Cowboys' first game there. In 1998, it was renamed Malanda Stadium. In 1999, it became Dairy Farmers Stadium. The stadium was upgraded in 2005 and 2006.

In 2013, the stadium was renamed 1300SMILES Stadium. This was after a dental practice sponsored it. On August 29, 2019, the club played its last game there. They beat the Canterbury Bulldogs 15–8.

The most fans at a regular season game was 30,302 in 1999. This was against the Brisbane Broncos. The most fans at a finals game was 24,989 in 2004. This was also against the Brisbane Broncos.

In 2020, the club moved to the new 25,000-seat Queensland Country Bank Stadium in South Townsville.

Training Base: Where the Team Prepares

The facade of the Cowboys' training and administration base, with Queensland Country Bank Stadium in the background.

In 2021, the Cowboys opened a new training and office building. It is called the Hutchinson Builders Centre. It is right next to Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Team Look: Emblems and Colours

Before they were called the Cowboys, other names were considered. These included Marlins, Stingrays, and Crocodiles. The name 'Cowboys' was chosen after public feedback. The team's colours, navy blue and yellow, came from Townsville's local teams. Grey was added as a main colour, and white as a secondary colour.

Team Logos

• 

  1995–1997

• 

  1998–2003

The club's "steer head" logo has mostly stayed the same since 1995. In the early years, the logo was on a white rectangle. Later, it was placed on a yellow oval. In 2003, the writing style changed, and a yellow star was added. A lighter navy blue and white were also added. In 2020, a new logo was introduced to celebrate their 25th season.

Team Jerseys

• 

  1995–1996

• 

  1997–1998

• 

  1999–2001

• 

  2023

The Cowboys' home jerseys have mostly been navy blue. White, grey, and yellow have been the main secondary colours at different times. Their away jerseys are usually white. Since 2011, the club has also worn special jerseys. These include jerseys for Women in League round, Indigenous round, and Anzac/Defence force-themed jerseys.

Team Supporters: Fans and Members

In 2018, the Cowboys had their highest number of members ever, with 23,437. This beat the record of 22,278 set the year before. In 2020, Kyle Feldt was the Cowboys' membership ambassador.

Average Home Game Attendance

Famous Supporters

Many well-known people support the Cowboys, including:

Feeder Clubs: Developing Talent

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

Cowboys players who are not in the main NRL team train and play with these feeder clubs. These teams are in Cairns and Mackay. They are separate clubs but work closely with the Cowboys.

Partnerships: Working Together

On June 20, 2025, the Cowboys announced a partnership with the Super League club Hull Kingston Rovers.

Rivalries: Big Games

Brisbane Broncos

The Brisbane Broncos are the Cowboys' main rivals. From 1999 to 2006, they were the only two Queensland teams in the NRL. For almost 10 years, Brisbane usually won. They had not lost to North Queensland in 16 games. In 2004, the teams met in the finals for the first time. North Queensland beat Brisbane 10–0, getting their first win in the rivalry.

In the last round of the 2020 NRL season, North Queensland caused Brisbane to finish last for the first time ever. Brisbane needed to win to avoid the Wooden Spoon, but they lost. As of 2020, the teams have met five more times in the finals. This includes the 2015 NRL Grand Final, which was the first all-Queensland Grand Final. North Queensland won that game 17–16 in extra time. This rivalry is considered one of the best in modern rugby league.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

The Cowboys also have a rivalry with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Their games became more intense during the finals. The two clubs have met five times in the finals since 2013. Since 2023, the best player in games between these two clubs receives the Paul Green Medal. This medal honours Paul Green, who played for both clubs and coached the Cowboys. He passed away in 2022.

Women's Team: NRLW Cowboys

On June 15, 2022, the Cowboys were allowed to join the NRL Women's Premiership for the 2023 season. On November 24, 2022, Ben Jeffries was named the first NRLW head coach. Anita Creenaune became the Head of Women's Elite Programs. On April 4, 2023, Emma Manzelmann from Mackay became the club's first player signing.

Team Leadership: Corporate Structure

See also

In Spanish: North Queensland Cowboys para niños