With an unchanged line-up next season North Queensland look set to have the best shot at claiming back-to-back premierships since Brisbane last managed it over two decades ago.
No side has won back-to-back titles in a united competition since the Broncos managed the feat in 1992 and 1993 with sides chock full of internationals.
But for the first time since then, all 17 players that participated in a premiership triumph will be available for the club the following year.
All of the Cowboys’ side in the 17-16 win over Brisbane at ANZ Stadium on Sunday are on the club’s books for 2016.
Only Glenn Hall (retirement), Cameron King (Parramatta) and Robert Lui (Salford) are departing the club at the end of the year. In total the trio played just nine games this year.
In 2014, Sydney Roosters were only missing Luke O’Donnell from their premiership winning side of the previous season but fell a game short of the grand final.
This year 2014 premiers South Sydney couldn’t overcome the holes the departures of Sam Burgess and Ben Te’o left in their side.
But with the Cowboys there is genuine hope they can turn their maiden premiership triumph into consecutive titles, especially with the game’s No.1 player, Clive Churchill medallist Johnathan Thurston, at the helm.
As well as their NRL triumph the region’s No.1 rugby league school, Kirwan State High, won the national schoolboys title; their Under-20s team made the preliminary final; and their feeder club Townsville Blackhawks made the Queensland Cup grand final.
“It (depth of playing talent across all Cowboys squads) was an important part of my philosophy as a coach, particularly if you want that sustained success,” said Green, who joined the Cowboys for the 2014 season.
“Not just me as a coach because they had put some important pathways in there.
“We have had some success in those lower grades and hopefully we can keep producing those players.”
On his return to Red Hill this season Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett initially didn’t think he a side that could challenge for the premiership.
Those beliefs changed as the season progressed and Bennett said the Broncos were now well poised to build on the success of their 2015 campaign.
“We are in my first year back there with me as coach with the other coaches and we think there is a great upside,” Bennett said.
“The great clubs have that continuity of coaches and continuity of staff.
“We are optimistic. We won’t always end up here (in the grand final) every season (but) we have built something in the past and we can build it again in the future.
“We were probably a bit ahead of ourselves (this year).”
The Verdict
Guest
O'Neil finished the season strongly, and Linnett (if we overlook the grand final drop) has been one of the Cowboys best players the last couple of months. Moga has a long way to go.
Trenno
Guest
I met Tau at the GF and asked him how his knee was going, he said its good as gold. He is really lovely guy, really hope that the footy gods smile on him from now on.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Friend played in the 2014 semi the Roosters lost to Souths so he wasn't missing. But yeah...fair point. I probably got lost in the 'Friend was going to win it on his own' hype.
tom
Guest
matty predicted cowboys to take out the premiership in like round 10
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Moga was sorely missed this year in my opinion. Surprisingly good result considering.....
NQ Cowboys
Guest
The Cowboys need to find themselves some decent centres. Hopefully Moga comes back next season and stays healthy.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Entirely agree. 100%
pete bloor
Guest
Even then it just 5 of the last 34 eligible teams going back to 1980 which is still better than the theoretical ave3rage around 1/16.
pete bloor
Guest
Yep, we could suffer Manly style injuries I guess but then not sure what difference old fair weather Maloney would make vs Hastings in that context as he needs a lot of space to work his magic.
pete bloor
Guest
Sweet I'll let the broncos fans know and all the media outlets that reported it very differently at the time.
E-Meter
Guest
1997 doesn't count
Renegade
Roar Guru
You have to actually make the finals first...
pete bloor
Guest
In 20 years? Brisbane did it 97/98 6 of the last 36 eligible teams have done it Still the premiership odds are always way too short for every team
pete bloor
Guest
Come on Barry, its pretty rare for teams can't cover for one of their core spine players being out suddenly. Do you think if JT went down in the semi's that the cowboys win?
pete bloor
Guest
Yep Hastings is a goal kicker. We'll miss RTS no doubt but I think Hastings will be a more consistent player than Maloney which may serve well in the finals next year
pete bloor
Guest
but they still lost right in week one? I'm just pointing out that perhaps the eye's assertion that it was due to the high performance unit in NQ is a little unbelievable given other clubs have won premierships and the 'Boys hardly swept aside teams in a canter as they puffed on the sidelines like a 6 pack a day smoker on his new years resolution run. I think to say the NSW clubs disappointed awfully is an insult to how well NQ and Brisbane played. The cowboys didn't win because other teams were disappointments physically, they won because they played bloody well.
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
I think if you look at recent history you see that there have been a number of teams that have been there and there abouts for a few consecutive years but of course only one team can win it each year and once you get to knockout finals one slip up ends it. The Roosters of this year and last were pretty close. Manly got to a preliminary final in 2012 and the Grand Final in 2013. Melbourne looked on track to a premiership in 2011 and got knocked out by the Warriors, they got their premiership the year after, similarly the Dragons in '09 and '10. All this suggests to me that it will probably happen at some stage. It may even be a lean period we're going through for back to back winners. The best you can say is the teams give it a good shot.
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
If you watch that game in week 1 of the finals you'll see the intensity was pretty damn high, quite similar to the grand final in fact. The main difference being after pushing to score late in the game the Cowboys actually managed to do it in the grand final. They were just off in week 1 and just there in the GF.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
When I hear talk of dynasties I think of the great st George and Bunnies teams from back in the day. Even the current Queensland origin side I would consider to be a once in a generation squad. In this brave new salary cap world I doubt it's possible to create any dynasties any longer. -The best would be to redefine it to only two or three years, and that might be stretching things.
Benny
Guest
Yeah people were definitely saying Rabbitohs had a great chance of going back to back. Realistically though, the Roosters had the best chance of going b2b in a long time and a chance as good as that might not come along for a fair while.