On the first Sunday night in October 2015 I was on the edge of my seat. The Cowboys were attacking the Broncos line for one final shot at the try line.
We know what happened. History was made. The Cowboys won their first title in one of the great grand finals.
In 2017 the Cowboys showed their resolve and, despite a depleted and injury-plagued team, made the grand final. Though they didn’t win, they did their area proud.
The area the Cowboys represent is its strength. The Cowboys were brought into the competition in 1995. Their inclusion surprised many and made some in the game wonder what the leaders of the Australian Rugby League were thinking. It gave momentum to the Super League movement.
However, as a fan of the game it makes sense to have a team representing such a region. The Cowboys serve all in the north and far north. Central Queensland seems divided between support of the Cowboys and the Broncos. This is good news for the Cowboys, for where once the Broncos had the whole state to themselves, they now have their fair share.
(Matt King/Getty Images)
Although the north Queensland, far north Queensland and the people of the Isaac, Mackay and Whitsunday regions combined consist of an estimated population of 700,000 people, the problem for the Cowboys is that so many of its fans live so far away. Cairns to Townsville is a five-hour drive. This example is typical of the distances that many fans travel to see the Cowboys play.
What this means is that any home game not on a Saturday night is likely to draw a very poor crowd. Hopefully with the NRL controlling scheduling the Cowboys will always have home games on a Saturday evening.
A new stadium is in the works. This is good news as the Townsville region needs projects that create jobs. Furthermore, 1300Smiles Stadium is not a world-class venue. Maybe some people enjoy it for the fact that you are close to the action, but the new stadium should achieve this as well.
From the early designs the new stadium should also cover and protect the majority of the crowd from the elements. It rarely rains in Townsville during the football season, but it’s still not pleasant being caught in a downpour either. Moreover, plans are that it will be located in the city centre. If Townville also improves its transport and parking options, the stadium has the possibility of bringing not only rugby league to life but the city centre as well.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Going forward all is looking pretty good for the Cowboys. However, things could be improved, in particular the game day experience. I lived in Townsville and went to many games, and on occasions I felt the atmosphere was incredibly flat – so flat that I was embarrassed when I took a non-league supporter to a game. My friend was bored and, to be honest, so was I.
The idea of generating atmosphere included four guys doing push-ups after every try and some drunk guys beating on stadium panels chanting, “Come on, Cowboys”. Other than that, it was almost silent. It wasn’t flash. Granted, I haven’t been to see a game there for over two years, so maybe things have improved.
I don’t mention the lack of atmosphere to insult the club. Although I don’t support the Cowboys, I want them to be successful. The club needs to look at sports around the world to discover how they get their fans energised and how they get their fans to make some noise.
By noise I’m not talking about blasting music through the speakers so loud you can’t hear the person next to you; I’m talking about fan-generated noise that creates a buzz and atmosphere that has fans coming back for more.
In the meantime what should have fans coming back for more is the fact that Jonathan Thurston’s career is coming to a close. One more injury and that may be it, and 2018 may be it anyway. Although winning a title in 2018 may be tough, if Thurston stays fit and they show the strength of last year, then nothing is out the question.
Rob
Guest
Mt Isa is 4hrs round trip by plane, 22 by road. It's really frustrating listening to Sydney people whinge about cost and travel to support teams like Bulldogs, Easts, Parra, Sharks, Tigers, Manly or Souths, let alone finals games. They actually have more opportunities all season. Anyway the atmosphere will be greatly enhanced with a roof. It will also be a massive boast for the Club and the local community especially the city centre. It's a better investment than building air strips suppling infrastructure and a rail lines to a massive hole in the ground so an Indian Billionaire can get even more wealth whilst destroying the land for everyone in central Queensland
Griffo
Guest
I'd lile to take exception to your saying that at 1300 smiles stadium you are close to the action. This is one of the very problems if you're not sitting on the lower terrace or the lower grass you can end up feeling a long way away. Heaven forbid you jave to sit in the Northern or Southern stands. That and the sightlines are poor. The new stadium should be a vast improvement. In terms of making npise it could better. A bit more barracking and few more chants wouldn't go astray. I'd like to hear a few rounds of 'Riding along, singing a cowboy song'.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
You would find that the Cowboys have generated a large fan base in PNG, probably because geographically they are the closest team to them. The Cowboys fan base has extended all the way down to Brisbane in recent times, including a large fan base in Brisbane. I think with the new stadium being built in the inner-city area will make it easier for fans to attend the game. A new stadium will generate a better atmosphere. They love their league up there. Very passionate and very dedicated, proven by the turnouts at the airport for the team all finals series, both on departure and arrival. You wouldn't see that with any other rugby league club.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
They were depleted and plagued. Without the obvious two big names of JT and Matt Scott, several of their fringe players were out injured. Asiata played the finals series with a broken thumb, thus having to use a brace. Cooper played with an injured calf during the finals. Fensom and Feldt both had busted knees. Winterstein a busted hammy just to name a few. None of them should have been on the field but the Cowboys had no choice but to play them injured because they had no back up players, which is why they were forced to name Matt Scott on an extended bench for the prelim and GF as back up.
Nomad
Guest
Makes a mockery of the city fans that can’t travel across the harbour to support their team. Eight plus hours return travel from places like Mackay, Cairns, Mt Isa and then you have the extra cost of accommodation for most of us. Worth it though to support such a team especially when they take the time to thank the fans for their travel.
BA Sports
Guest
From my experience going to Townsville, I do agree, the match day entertainment could be improved (as it can for most clubs). Townsville would be the perfect place with a mild climate for the NFL style tailgate parties - even if it only started out at one or two games a year and then grew. Make it worth peoples while to make the drive in from Bowen, Charters Towers and even Cairns...
Mark Campbell
Roar Guru
Hey Nat and BA Sports, I have done the drive a couple of times. I think usually it took me just under four and half hours. Though, I do remember it taking me close to five hours one time - I can't remember why though. Maybe I was driving Miss Daisy. Oh, I wish I was backpacking at the time, the north is a very nice place to hang and chill. For the game, if I remember correctly was when the Cowboys were playing the Warriors or maybe it was Parra. I just remember my friend and I talking about the lack of noise anyone made around us. It was unusually quiet for a sporting event. I went to some games (3-4 per season) throughout the 2013-14 seasons, so I admit that was some time ago now and I'm sure things have improved.
BA Sports
Guest
You have to be careful when cheering - if you keep your mouth open too long, you are likely to inhale a 4kg flying bug
Mark Campbell
Roar Guru
Yes King Cowboy, I meant 2015. A typo which I have clearly missed.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Except for when they play the Rabbitohs, Storm, Warriors, Titans or Broncos...
The Barry
Roar Guru
That's funny...I've never seen a game live up there but it always comes across as one of the most vocal and passionate crowds.
BA Sports
Guest
Yeah, it is closer to 4 hours, I have done that drive plenty of times. I assume the author must have done the trip in their youth, backpacking in a beat up old combi..
BigJ
Roar Guru
Im back in townsville, trust me tge Cowboys fans will be heard all over the state
Nat
Roar Guru
So it was 2015 you went to a game and there was little crowd atmosphere? Can you preface that? Were they losing or a Cowboys / WT game during Origin time? I've always found it to be pretty good but everyone's experience is different. I sat in the 'chookpen' once at the SFS and had a great time with all their chants, drums and trumpets and even Brisbane with their 30k+ ave attendance could use something like that sometimes (I was quickly discovered as an imposter when I held my seat during "all the roosters stand up!" chant). The new Townsville stadium and it's location will be fantastic to breathe life back into the city as the current stadium is way too far out although the city has grown out around it in recent years. Look at Suncorp, after the games, every pub from Caxton St to the Casino is full within an hr making for a good night following good game. BTW, 5 hrs from Townsville to Cairns? Were you driving Miss Daisy?
paul
Guest
You left out the bit that North Qld had 14 of it's Grand Final side playing in the finals last year - but I suppose writing they were "depleted and injury plagued", sounds more dramatic. What exactly are their fans supposed to do to please you in terms of crowd noise? In just about every game there will be periods where there's not a lot happening, so surprisingly, the crowd will be quiet.Short of having a ground announcer screaming at people, I'm not sure what else they can do.
KingCowboy
Guest
"On the first Sunday night in October 2017", I think you mean 2015!!!