2007 North Queensland Cowboys season

October 2016 September 2020 navy white NRL NRL 3rd 15 0 9 547 618 Lost Preliminary Final(v Manly Sea Eagles, 6–28) CEO Peter Parr Coach Graham Murray Johnathan Thurston Dairy Farmers Stadium 20,108 25,926 (vs. Brisbane Broncos, Round 18) Matthew Bowen (22) Johnathan Thurston (78) Johnathan Thurston (196) 2006 2008 The 2007 North Queensland Cowboys season was the 13th in the club's history. Coached by Graham Murray and captained by Johnathan Thurston, they competed in the NRL's Telstra Premiership. They finished the regular season in 3rd place, falling one game short of the Grand Final after losing to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Season summary The Cowboys started the 2007 NRL season strongly, winning their first four games. By the halfway point of the season, they were placed inside the top four, despite losing key forward Luke O'Donnell for the season in Round 4. In August, News Limited sold its majority stake in the club to the Cowboys Leagues Club for just over $2 million. News Limited took over the club in late 2001, helping it through a turbulent and difficult era. Following five losses from seven games, the Cowboys dropped to 8th place in Round 20. A strong finish to the regular season, in which they won their final five games, saw them finish in 3rd, their highest ever placing at the time. Their first two finals games were played at home, defeating the Canterbury Bulldogs (20–18) and the New Zealand Warriors (49–12), to move within one game of the Grand Final. The Cowboys' season ended the following week, losing to Manly in the preliminary final. Club legend Paul Bowman retired at the end of the 2007 season. The last foundation player from the club's inaugural season, Bowman played 203 games for the Cowboys over 13 seasons. The club's Player of the Year medal was named in his honour following his retirement. He became an assistant coach with the club in 2008. 2007 also saw the debut of 19-year-old Scott Bolton, who would go on to play over 150 games for the Cowboys and be a member of their 2015 NRL Grand Final and 2016 World Club Challenge winning sides. Milestones Round 1: Sione Faumuina and Jason Smith made their debuts for the club. Round 3: Justin Smith played his 50th game for the club. Round 4: Scott Bolton made his NRL debut for the club. Round 6: Ben Vaeau made his debut for the club. Round 7: Johnathan Thurston played his 50th game for the club. Round 7: Scott Minto made their debuts for the club. Round 7: Ben Farrar made his NRL debut for the club and scored his first NRL try. Round 9: Brett Anderson made his debut for the club. Round 9: Scott Bolton scored his first NRL try. Round 10: Sam Faust made his NRL debut for the club. Round 11: John Frith made his NRL debut for the club. Round 13: Ty Williams played his 100th game for the club. Round 13: Matthew Bartlett made his debut for the club. Round 13: Jackson Nicolau made his NRL debut for the club. Round 18: Aaron Payne played his 100th game for the club. Round 20: Matthew Bowen played his 150th game for the club. Round 22: Carl Webb played his 50th game for the club. Round 25: Paul Bowman played his 200th game for the club, the first player to do so. Finals Week 2: Jacob Lillyman played his 50th game for the club. Squad List North Queensland Cowboys NRL Squad 2007 navy white #c0c0c0 black AUS CE Brett Anderson AUS SR Matthew Bartlett AUS SR Scott Bolton AUS WG Brenton Bowen AUS FB Matthew Bowen AUS CE Paul Bowmane AUS PR Ray Cashmere AUS HK David Faiumu AUS CE Ben Farrar NZL LK Sione Faumuina AUS PR Sam Faust AUS PR John Frith AUS WG Ashley Graham AUS CE Mark Henry AUS CE Rod Jensen AUS CE Karl Johnson AUS PR Jacob Lillyman AUS WG Scott Minto AUS FE Shane Muspratt AUS FE Jackson Nicolau PNG LK Luke O'Donnell PNG HK Aaron Payne AUS PR Matthew Scott AUS FE Jason Smith AUS FE Justin Smith ITA SR Steve Southern AUS WG Neil Sweeney AUS HB Johnathan Thurston y AUS PR Shane Tronc FJI PR Ben Vaeau FJI PR Carl Webb FJI CE Colin Wilkie FJI WG Ty Williams Graham Murray Ian Millward (assistant coach) Grant Bell (assistant coach) Kelly Egan (football manager) Glen Murphy (strength & conditioning coach) Steve Hooper (Strength & Conditioning Trainer) Squad Movement 2007 Gains Player Signed from Matthew Bartlett Melbourne 16 Melbourne Storm Ben Farrar Parramatta 16 Parramatta EelsLatest News New Cowboys add to Backline http://www.cowboys.com.au/News.asp?newsid=1438 www.cowboys.com.au 19 April 2026 en The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys announced today that promising young players Karl Johnson and Ben Farrar had been signed to the club for the next 2 years. Ben Farrar is a 20 year old centre who is in his 2nd year with the Parramatta Eels. https://web.archive.org/web/20060819010524/http://www.cowboys.com.au/News.asp?newsid=1438 2006-08-19 Sione Faumuina New Zealand Warriors old 16 WarriorsLatest News Cowboys sign Sione Faumuina http://www.cowboys.com.au/news.asp?newsid=1509 www.cowboys.com.au 19 April 2026 en https://web.archive.org/web/20070917031229/http://www.cowboys.com.au/news.asp?newsid=1509 2007-09-17 Karl Johnson North Sydney 16 North Sydney BearsLatest News New Cowboys add to Backline http://www.cowboys.com.au/News.asp?newsid=1438 www.cowboys.com.au 19 April 2026 en The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys announced today that promising young players Karl Johnson and Ben Farrar had been signed to the club for the next 2 years. Karl Johnson is an outside back from North Sydney's Premier League team where he is the leading try scorer. https://web.archive.org/web/20060819010524/http://www.cowboys.com.au/News.asp?newsid=1438 2006-08-19 Scott Minto Brisbane 16 Brisbane Broncos Jackson Nicolau Melbourne 16 Melbourne StormLatest News Nicolau to Join the Cowboys http://www.cowboys.com.au/news.asp?newsid=1421 www.cowboys.com.au 19 April 2026 en The North Queensland Innisfail product, a the[sic] talented five-eighth and centre, will come to the Cowboys from the Melbourne Storm. https://web.archive.org/web/20060821102423/http://www.cowboys.com.au/news.asp?newsid=1421 2006-08-21 Jason Smith Canberra 16 Canberra Raiders Ben Vaeau Brisbane 16 Brisbane Broncos Colin Wilkie Melbourne 16 Melbourne Storm 2007 Losses Player Signed To Clint Amos Gold Coast Titans 16 Gold Coast TitansTitans sign Cowboys young gun https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-07-10/titans-sign-cowboys-young-gun/1798908 ABC News 20 April 2026 en-AU 10 July 2006 Fringe first grade player Clint Amos has also joined the Titans on a one-year contract. Jason Barsley Retired Gavin Cooper Gold Coast Titans 16 Gold Coast TitansTitans sign Cowboys young gun https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-07-10/titans-sign-cowboys-young-gun/1798908 ABC News 20 April 2026 en-AU 10 July 2006 Mark Dalle Cort Celtic 16 Celtic Crusaders Brett Firman Penrith 16 Penrith Panthers Josh Hannay Cronulla 16 Cronulla Sharks Rod Jensen Huddersfield 16 Huddersfield Giants (mid-season)Agencies Times Online and Huddersfield lifted by Rocket signing https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/greece/huddersfield-lifted-by-rocket-signing-7twmvmw2x7j#:~:text=Huddersfield%20Giants%20have%20signed%20Rod,Greece www.thetimes.com 20 April 2026 29 May 2007 Ben Lowe South Sydney 16 South Sydney Rabbitohs Brent McConnell Brisbane 16 Brisbane Broncos Travis Norton Retired Norton anoints Thurston as likely successor https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-03-07/norton-anoints-thurston-as-likely-successor/812608 ABC News 20 April 2026 en-AU 6 March 2006 Norton has announced he will retire from the National Rugby League at the end of this season to begin a new career as a fireman. Mitchell Sargent Newcastle 16 Newcastle Knights Matt Sing Hull FC 16 Hull F.C.Sing signs for Hull https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-06-08/sing-signs-for-hull/1772698 ABC News 20 April 2026 en-AU 7 June 2006 Malo Solomona Hunter Mariners 16 Auckland Lions Daniel Strickland Hunter Mariners 16 University Saints RLFC Robert Tanielu Retired Robert Tanielu retires from NRL due to injury http://www.cowboys.com.au/news.asp?newsid=1514 www.cowboys.com.au 20 April 2026 en https://web.archive.org/web/20070917030723/http://www.cowboys.com.au/news.asp?newsid=1514 2007-09-17 Ladder Fixtures Pre-season Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals Attendance17 FebruaryTrial 1Canberra 16 Canberra RaidersBrowne Park10 – 28 - - -24 FebruaryTrial 2New Zealand Warriors old 16 WarriorsLeprechaun Park32 – 14 B. Bowen (2), Bolton, M. Bowen, Payne, Lillyman Thurston (4/6) -3 MarchTrial 3Manly 16 Manly Sea EaglesBarlow Park10 – 14 Bolton, Justin Smith Thurston (2/2) - Regular season Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals Attendance16 MarchRound 1Brisbane 16 Brisbane BroncosSuncorp Stadium23 – 16 Graham (2), M. Bowen, Henry Thurston (3/5), M. Bowen (1 FG) 50,41624 MarchRound 2Sydney Roosters 16 Sydney RoostersDairy Farmers Stadium43 – 6 B. Bowen (2), M. Bowen (2), Thurston (2), O'Donnell Thurston (6/6), Graham (1/1), Payne (1 FG) 21,39631 MarchRound 3St George Illawarra 16 St George Illawarra DragonsWIN Stadium22 – 18 B. Bowen, Bowman, Graham, Thurston Thurston (3/4) 10,2327 AprilRound 4Wests Tigers 16 Wests TigersDairy Farmers Stadium25 – 24 Graham (2), M. Bowen, Sweeney Thurston (4/4), M. Bowen (1 FG) 21,87915 AprilRound 5New Zealand Warriors old 16 WarriorsMt Smart Stadium14 – 34 B. Bowen, M. Bowen, Thurston Thurston (1/3) 11,26023 AprilRound 6South Sydney 16 South Sydney RabbitohsDairy Farmers Stadium6 – 10 Bowman Thurston (1/1) 17,76828 AprilRound 7Manly 16 Manly Sea EaglesDairy Farmers Stadium30 – 26 M. Bowen (2), B. Bowen, Farrar, Ja. Smith Thurston (5/6) 18,6827 MayRound 8Gold Coast Titans 16 Gold Coast TitansCarrara Stadium24 – 10 M. Bowen, Bowman, Jensen Thurston (6/6) 17,80612 MayRound 9Penrith 16 Penrith PanthersDairy Farmers Stadium12 – 22 Anderson, Bolton Thurston (2/2) 17,39319 MayRound 10Parramatta 16 Parramatta EelsParramatta Stadium14 – 44 Faumuina, Graham, Minto Graham (1/3) 10,18225 MayRound 11Canterbury 16 Canterbury BulldogsSuncorp Stadium26 – 16 M.Bowen (2), Faumuina, Tronc Thurston (5/5) 15,4122 JuneRound 12Cronulla 16 Cronulla SharksDairy Farmers Stadium26 – 24 Williams (2), Minto, Scott, Sweeney Thurston (3/5) 20,0759 JuneRound 13Sydney Roosters 16 Sydney RoostersSydney Football Stadium30 – 64 M. Bowen (2), Bartlett, Southern, Tronc Graham (5/5) 4,18616 JuneRound 14Melbourne 16 Melbourne StormDairy Farmers Stadium12 – 58 B. Bowen, M. Bowen, William Thurston (0/3) 20,02323 JuneRound 15Canberra 16 Canberra RaidersCanberra Stadium28 – 24 B. Bowen (2), M. Bowen (2), Thurston Thurston (4/5) 11,263Round 16Bye7 JulyRound 17New Zealand Warriors old 16 WarriorsDairy Farmers Stadium18 – 12 Sione Faumuina, Graham, Webb Thurston (2/2), Graham (1/1) 19,86413 JulyRound 18Brisbane 16 Brisbane BroncosDairy Farmers Stadium16 – 24 Graham (2), M. Bowen Graham (2/3) 25,92622 JulyRound 19South Sydney 16 South Sydney RabbitohsTelstra Stadium14 – 20 M. Bowen, Graham, Minto Thurston (1/3) 10,02230 JulyRound 20Wests Tigers 16 Wests TigersLeichhardt Oval10 – 54 Bartlet, Ju. Smith Thurston (1/2) 17,1014 AugustRound 21Canberra 16 Canberra RaidersDairy Farmers Stadium28 – 22 Farrar (2), Graham, M. Bowen, Thurston Graham (2/5), Thurston (0/1) 15,79113 AugustRound 22Penrith 16 Penrith PanthersCUA Stadium30 – 26 Graham (3), B. Bowen, M. Bowen, Ju. Smith Thurston (3/5) 7,61818 AugustRound 23St George Illawarra 16 St George Illawarra DragonsDairy Farmers Stadium24 – 14 M. Bowen, Bowman, Cashmere, Ja. Smith Thurston (4/4) 18,72124 AugustRound 24Newcastle 16 Newcastle KnightsEnergyAustralia Stadium34 – 18 Graham (2), M. Bowen, Sweeney, Thurston, Williams Thurston (5/6) 12,26431 AugustRound 25Canterbury 16 Canterbury BulldogsDairy Farmers Stadium38 – 32 Farrar, Williams, Ju. Smith, Thurston Thurston (7/7) 24,050 Legend: #CCFFCC Win 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFBBBB Loss 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFFFCC Draw 1px solid #AAAAAA #cfecec Bye 1px solid #AAAAAA Finals Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals Attendance8 SeptemberQualifying FinalCanterbury 16 Canterbury BulldogsDairy Farmers Stadium20 – 18 Thurston (2), Bowman Thurston (4/4) 24,00416 SeptemberSemi FinalNew Zealand Warriors old 16 WarriorsDairy Farmers Stadium49 – 12 Farrar (2), M. Bowen, Cashmere, Graham, Henry, Ja. Smith, Williams Thurston (7/7), Bowman (1/1), M. Bowen (1 FG) 21,48722 SeptemberPreliminary FinalManly 16 Manly Sea EaglesSFS6 – 28 Lillyman Thurston (1/1) 32,611 Legend: #CCFFCC Win 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFBBBB Loss 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFFFCC Draw 1px solid #AAAAAA #cfecec Bye 1px solid #AAAAAA Statistics NameAppTGFGPtsBrett Anderson Brett Anderson (rugby league)11--4Matthew Bartlett132--8Scott Bolton rugby league61--4Brenton Bowen169--36Matthew Bowen2722-391Paul Bowman Paul Bowman (rugby league)2151-22Ray Cashmere242--8David Faiumu20----Ben Farrar117--28Sione Faumuina183--12Sam Faust13----John Frith John Frith (rugby league)1----Ashley Graham Ashley Graham (rugby league)221812-96Mark Henry Mark Henry (rugby league)102--8Rod Jensen61--4Jacob Lillyman211--4Scott Minto143--12Shane Muspratt3----Jackson Nicolau1----Luke O'Donnell41--4Aaron Payne27--11Matthew Scott Matthew Scott (rugby league)231--4Jason Smith Jason Smith (rugby league)203--12Justin Smith Justin Smith (rugby league)243--12Steve Southern191--4Neil Sweeney113--12Johnathan Thurston251078-196Shane Tronc172--8Ben Vaeau8----Carl Webb181--4Ty Williams157--28 Totals 109 91 4 622 Source:https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2007/north-queensland-cowboys/summary.html NRL 2007 - North Queensland Cowboys - Rugby League Project Representatives The following players played a representative match in 2007 ANZAC Test State of Origin 1 State of Origin 2 State of Origin 3 Trans-Tasman TestMatthew Bowen - - - Queensland - David Faiumu New Zealand - - - New Zealand Jacob Lillyman - Queensland Queensland - - Johnathan Thurston Australia Queensland Queensland Queensland - Carl Webb - - Queensland Queensland - Honours League Dally M Medal: Johnathan Thurston Dally M Fullback of the Year: Matthew Bowen Dally M Halfback of the Year: Johnathan Thurston Rugby League Week Player of the Year: Matthew Bowen Rugby League Week Player of the Year: Johnathan Thurston Club Paul Bowman Medal: Matthew Bowen Player's Player: Matthew Bowen Club Person of the Year: Tim Nugent and Nicole Balanzategui Rookie of the Year: Sam Faust Most Improved: Ashley Graham and Ray Cashmere Feeder Clubs Queensland Cup North Queensland 16 North Queensland Young Guns - 1st, lost preliminary final References External links Official North Queensland Cowboys Website 19 18 58 S 146 42 43 E Willow Sports Complex title Category:North Queensland Cowboys seasons North Queensland Cowboys season