As a kid, Michael Morgan could hardly contain his excitement when he arrived for North Queensland home games.
But Morgan admits he will have mixed feelings when he walks out onto 1300SMILES Stadium on Thursday night.
On what promises to be an emotional evening, the Cowboys will mark the end of an era when they take on Canterbury in their round 24 NRL clash.
They will play their final game at 1300SMILES Stadium – their home venue since their 1995 inception – on Thursday night before relocating to their new 25,000-seat, $250 million North Queensland Stadium next year.
Coincidentally North Queensland played the Bulldogs in their very first game at the venue 24 years ago.
Overall the Cowboys have won 152 of the 300 games played at the venue to date, with Morgan savouring many as a starry eyed fan on the hill.
Now as North Queensland captain, Morgan will help draw the curtain on the Cowboys’ beloved home ground.
“There’s mixed feelings. It’s been home for the Cowboys for so long,” Morgan said.
“I was once a young boy watching the games here, loving the Cowboys, so to be now playing in the last one is quite special.
“For many of my teen years I would wander down and get a seat on the hill, watching the game and wanting to play here one day.
“I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to do that. It’s something I am pretty proud of.”
Cowboys coach Paul Green said the ground would always hold a special place in the club’s heart, regardless of Thursday night’s result.
“There have been plenty of memories for me personally since I have been coach, it’s hard to pinpoint one,” he said of the venue.
“But the fact it is our first ground and the work that the community had to do personally (to get it constructed), the community got right behind the club once they were allowed in (in 1995).
“They actually helped lay the turf and all that sort of stuff.
“I think it shows that link to the community. From that point of view I think the ground will hold a special place in everyone’s memories.”
The Cowboys will also honour forward Matt Scott, retiring his No.8 jersey for Thursday night’s game as he recovers from a stroke.
The round 24 clash will also mark the final home game for forward Scott Bolton, who will join Scott in retirement at season’s end.
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