Opinion
Established in 1995, the North Queensland Cowboys have been always known as the little brother to the Brisbane Broncos.
They won their first and only premiership against their arch rivals in a grand final that will be a classic for eons to come.
They struggled in the early years but the emergence of the two JTs has brought much ebullience to the loyal fans from Townsville.
1. Matthew Bowen
One cap for Australia, ten for Queensland, fullback of the year
Bowen was the ultimate excitement machine. He was super quick off the mark, which made him dangerous at kick returns. Bowen formed one of the most deadly combinations with Johnathan Thurston. His burst of speed off the mark and agility always made him a threat off kick returns. He was one of the most entertaining players to watch.
2. Matthew Sing
12 caps for Australia, 24 for Queensland
Matt Sing has been one of the most consistent wingers in the NRL. He was a fantastic finisher, very good in air and won many caps for Australia and Queensland. He is in the top ten in the NRL’s all-time leading try scorer list and will surprise some people as he was never spoken about highly enough.
3. Paul Bowman
12 caps for Queensland
Bowman was part of the Cowboys’ foundation team and eventually became a captain of the club. He was a very natural footballer who thrived in the State of Origin arena and was also one of the best defensive centres. He is very strong centre who can hold off a defender and pass to set up the winger.
4. Willie Tonga
12 caps for Australia, eight for Queensland, centre of the year
He was an underrated centre with the foot work to draw in defenders to put his winger away to score. Tonga also had a good left-foot step. Injuries robbed him while he was in his prime. He could have had more representative appearances.
5. Ty Williams
Three caps for Queensland
Williams was another great clubman who was an all-round winger boasting speed, great finishing ability, and a nice step. He wasn’t the biggest player but was very wise for his position. Williams formed a nice combination with Matt Bowen.
6. Michael Morgan
12 caps for Australia, 12 for Queensland, halfback of the year
Morgan finally has solved a problem for the Cowboys that has plagued them ever since their existence. He has great pace, a nice stocky build and one of the best dummies in the NRL today. He will forever be revered in Cowboys history for setting up a try on the buzzer to help win the grand final. He was the best half in the back end of 2017 to lead them to an unlikely grand final appearance.
7. Johnathan Thurston
38 caps for Australia, 37 for Queensland, four-time Dally M Medal winner, triple Golden Boot winner, RLIF back of the year, RLW player of the year, triple five-eighth of the year, RLIF halfback of the year, Wally Lewis Medal winner, RLPA player of the year, Clive Churchill Medal
One of the greatest halfbacks ever, JT may be the most unpredictable player ever. His ability to think on the fly and read defences is exceptional. His dummy and run and fearless taking of the ball to the line makes him an amazing ball player. He kicked the winning field goal to grant North Queensland their first ever premiership. He is the third all-time point scorer, due to his career goal-kicking strike rate of 79.5 per cent.
(Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Thurston has a super competitive edge and toughness to take the battering from opposition forwards, who may knock him down but he always gets back up. He was the embodiment of the notion that the play is never dead. His toughness is a key reason why he is who he is.
8. Matt Scott
22 caps for Australia, 22 for Queensland, RLIF prop of the year, prop of the year
Scott isn’t exactly the biggest prop but his stocky build, low centre of gravity and great leg speed ensures he hits the line with force. He left many bumps and bruises on whoever tackled him. Scott has been the leader of the Cowboys’ pack for years. You can rely on him to make ten metres on each carry.
9. Aaron Payne
Aaron Payne was a very creative hooker who formed a great combination with Thurston and Bowen as part of the Cowboys’ spine. He never had the accolades of his other teammates, but will be held in high regard with Cowboys fans.
10. Paul Rauhihi
16 caps for New Zealand, prop of the year
He provided the Cowboys with their first cult hero. His bright yellow fluorescent boots and hard runs made him one of the most damaging props in the game. He was instrumental to their charge to the 2005 grand final, and was quite underrated.
11. Gavin Cooper
Six caps for Queensland
It’s quite astonishing that a player so good made a rep team so late in his career. Cooper is a very smart and tough player who scores many tries for a second-rower due to his combination with Thurston and due to his amazing line running.
12. Glenn Morrison
He may never have played any representative games but Morrison was a vital Cowboys forward. Morrison was a rare shining light when the Cowboys were struggling. He was for many games the best player in the Cowboys’ early years.
13. Jason Taumalolo
13 caps for Tonga, ten for NZ, Dally M Medal, three-time lock of the year, RLPA player of the year, RLW player of the year
(Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
He is the second JT. Weighing in at 120 kilos, this wrecking ball is as difficult to tackle as it is to catch smoke with a net. His power running game makes him rack up 200-metre games quite easily. His late foot work before the line is elite for any player let alone a player of his size. His Dally M Medal win for a lock was quite extraordinary as that award has only been won by two locks and three non-spine players in history. His effect doesn’t always show in the stats as his runs and quick play the balls lead to many tries. He will go down as the premier player in his position from his era.
Bench: Nathan Fien, Travis Norton, James Tamou and Carl Webb.
This is a pretty good team with some stars and some solid first graders. If this team were to take the field it would have a pack with lots of fire power. With Scott, Rauhihi and Jason Taumalolo starting and Tamou coming off the bench, the Cowboys should be able to find metres quite easily. The backs are all proven try scorers and having the great ball-running half in Morgan will afford them many opportunities.
Having Thurston will always keep you competitive and he and Bowen would form a formidable duo. It is very easy to see Matt Bowen busting the line after a Taumalolo quick play the ball. When you have the two JTs playing in form, it will give North Queensland ammunition against any team they face.
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