2015 North Queensland Cowboys season

21st season in the club history June 2020 August 2019 2015 navy white NRL NRL 3rd 17 0 7 587 454 Premiers 2015 NRL CEO Greg Tonner Coach Paul Green Johnathan Thurston Matthew Scott 1300SMILES Stadium 16,230 24,531 (vs. Brisbane Broncos, Round 10) Antonio Winterstein (16) Johnathan Thurston (93) Johnathan Thurston (208) 2014 2016 The 2015 North Queensland Cowboys season was the 21st in the club's history. The team is based in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Coached by Paul Green and co-captained by Johnathan Thurston and Matthew Scott, they competed in the NRL's 2015 Telstra Premiership. The Cowboys celebrated 20 years as a club in 2015 and played in the first all-Queensland grand final, defeating the Brisbane Broncos 17–16 in golden point to win their first premiership. Season summary After going through their pre-season trials undefeated, the Cowboys started their 2015 season with three straight losses. The side hit back with three consecutive wins on Monday Night Football over the Melbourne Storm, Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs, on their way to a club record 11-game winning streak. The Cowboys finished in 3rd place, winning 17 games, giving the club their most successful regular season in its history. thumb|right|upright=1.8|Johnathan Thurston & Matt Scott Milestones Round 1: Jake Granville, Ben Hannant and Justin O'Neill made their debut for the club. Round 2: Kelepi Tanginoa made his debut for the club. Round 3: Lachlan Coote made his debut for the club. Round 3: Kane Linnett played his 100th NRL game. Round 7: Ben Hannant played his 200th NRL game. Round 7: Johnathan Thurston played his 250th NRL game. Round 11: The club played their 500th premiership game. Round 15: The club recorded their longest winning streak with their 11th straight win. Round 15: Rory Kostjasyn played his 50th game for the club. Round 16: Patrick Kaufusi made his NRL debut. Round 19: Gavin Cooper played his 200th NRL game. Round 21: Lachlan Coote played his 100th NRL game. Round 21: Matthew Scott played his 200th game for the club. Round 22: Antonio Winterstein played his 100th game for the club. Round 22: Antonio Winterstein scored his 50th try for the club. Round 24: Coen Hess made his NRL debut. Round 24: Coen Hess scored his first NRL try. Round 25: Antonio Winterstein played his 150th NRL game. Round 26: The club won the 2015 NRL Club Championship. Round 26: Paul Green coached his 50th NRL game. Finals Week 2: Kane Linnett played his 100th game for the club. Finals Week 3: Scott Bolton played his 150th game for the club. Finals Week 3: The club qualified for their second Grand Final. Grand Final: Rory Kostjasyn played his 100th NRL game. Grand Final: The club won its first NRL premiership. Squad List 2015 NRL Squad North Queensland Cowboys NRL Squad 2015 navy white white navy Cowboys Squad 2015 16 February 2015 AUS LK SR John Asiata AUS PR Scott Bolton AUS CE WG Javid Bowen AUS HK Josh Chudleigh AUS SR Gavin Cooper AUS FB Lachlan Coote AUS WG Kyle Feldt AUS HK Jake Granville AUS SR Glenn Hall AUS PR Ben Hannant AUS SR Coen Hess AUS PR Sam Hoare AUS PR Patrick Kaufusi AUS HK Cameron King AUS HK LK Rory Kostjasyn AUS CE Kane Linnett AUS SR LK Ethan Lowe AUS HB FE Robert Lui AUS CE WG Tautau Moga AUS FB HB Michael Morgan AUS FB Hezron Murgha AUS CE WG Justin O'Neill AUS FB Zac Santo AUS PR Matthew Scott y AUS PR Ben Spina AUS PR James Tamou AUS SR Kelepi Tanginoa NZL SR Jason Taumalolo AUS HK HB Ray Thompson AUS HB FE Johnathan Thurston y NZL WG CE Antonio Winterstein NZL FB WG Matthew Wright Paul Green David Furner (assistant coach) Jason Demetriou (assistant coach) John Cartwright (assistant coach) Todd Payten (NYC Coach/Assistant Coach) Paul Bowman (High Performance Manager) Steve Sartori (physiotherapist) Andrew Croll (strength & conditioning coach) Mark Henry (assistant strength & conditioning coach) Ashley Graham (Elite Pathways Performance Coach) Squad Movement 2015 Gains Player Signed from Until end of NotesJake GranvilleBrisbane 16 Brisbane Broncos2016http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2014/07/22/granville_signs_on_with_the_cowboys_.html Granville signs on with the Cowboys; NRL North Queensland Cowboys 2014-07-22 2014-07-22 4 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141204011348/http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2014/07/22/granville_signs_on_with_the_cowboys_.html live Ben HannantBrisbane 16 Brisbane Broncos2015http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2014/10/07/hannant_signs_on_with_the_cowboys.html Hannant signs on with the Cowboys; NRL North Queensland Cowboys 2014-10-07 2015-02-16 2 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402224410/http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2014/10/07/hannant_signs_on_with_the_cowboys.html live Justin O'NeillMelbourne 16 Melbourne Storm2016http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2014/12/20/oneill-signs.html O'Neill to return to the north; NRL North Queensland Cowboys 2014-10-07 2015-02-16 25 March 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150325184018/http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2014/12/20/oneill-signs.html live Kelepi TanginoaParramatta 16 Parramatta Eels2016http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2014/08/29/tanginoa_to_join_the_toyota_cowboys.html Tanginoa to join the Toyota Cowboys North Queensland Cowboys 2014-08-29 2014-08-29 29 November 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141129084604/http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2014/08/29/tanginoa_to_join_the_toyota_cowboys.html live 2015 losses Player Signed to Until end of Notes Anthony MitchellTownsville Blackhawks 16 Townsville Blackhawks2016http://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/cutters-mitchell-going-home/2418328/.html Cutters’ Mitchell going home; NRL Daily Mercury 2014-10-14 2015-02-16 April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Curtis RonaCanterbury 16 Canterbury Bulldogs2016http://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2014/08/20/bulldogs_sign_curtis_rona.html Bulldogs sign Curtis Rona; NRL Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2014-08-20 2014-08-29 8 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141208071259/http://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2014/08/20/bulldogs_sign_curtis_rona.html live Ashton SimsWarrington 16 Warrington Wolves2016http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/warrington-sign-fiji-forward-sims-13919/ Warrington sign Fiji forward Sims | NRL Zero Tackle 2014-07-02 2014-07-22 8 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141208131057/http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/warrington-sign-fiji-forward-sims-13919/ live Tariq SimsNewcastle 16 Newcastle Knights2016http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/knights-sign-tariq-sims-13933// Knights sign Tariq Sims | NRL Zero Tackle 2014-07-02 2014-07-22 8 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141208231439/http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/knights-sign-tariq-sims-13933/ live Brent TateRetired-http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2014/09/03/inspirational_tate_says_farewell_to_nrl.html/ Inspirational Tate says farewell; NRL North Queensland Cowboys 2014-09-03 2015-02-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20140907101159/http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2014/09/03/inspirational_tate_says_farewell_to_nrl.html 2014-09-07 dead Ricky Thorby Townsville Blackhawks 16 Townsville Blackhawks2016http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/townsville-blackhawks-make-first-signings/ Townsville Blackhawks make first signings; NRL RLW 2014-10-16 2015-02-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20150216034012/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/townsville-blackhawks-make-first-signings/ 2015-02-16 dead Joel RiethmullerReleased-http://www.nrl.com/cowboys-allow-glasby-to-stay-at-storm/tabid/10874/newsid/82449/default.aspx/ Cowboys allow Glasby to stay at Storm; NRL NRL 2014-10-08 2015-02-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20150216025617/http://www.nrl.com/cowboys-allow-glasby-to-stay-at-storm/tabid/10874/newsid/82449/default.aspx/ 2015-02-16 dead Re-signings Player Club Until end of Notes John AsiataNorth Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys2017http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/asiata-extends-cowboys-contract-17535/ Asiata extends Cowboys' contract - Zero Tackle 21 May 2015 zerotackle.com 15 January 2018 30 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150630200250/http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/asiata-extends-cowboys-contract-17535/ liveScott BoltonNorth Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys2017http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/cowboys-re-sign-experience-and-youth-19104/ Cowboys re-sign experience and youth - Zero Tackle 23 September 2015 zerotackle.com 15 January 2018 29 October 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151029043041/http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/cowboys-re-sign-experience-and-youth-19104/ liveJosh ChudleighNorth Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys2016Ben HannantNorth Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys2016Coen HessNorth Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys2018http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2015/03/19/hess_extends_cowboys.html Hess extends contract to 2018 19 March 2015 cowboys.com.au 15 January 2018 30 March 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150330023825/http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2015/03/19/hess_extends_cowboys.html live Kyle LaybuttNorth Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys2017Ethan LoweNorth Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys2016http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2015/05/08/lowe_extends_cowboys.html Lowe extends Cowboys contract 8 May 2015 cowboys.com.au 15 January 2018 18 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150518085040/http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2015/05/08/lowe_extends_cowboys.html liveMichael MorganNorth Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys2018http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2015/03/12/morgan_re_signs_to_2.html Morgan re-signs to 2018 11 March 2015 cowboys.com.au 15 January 2018 15 March 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150315044511/http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2015/03/12/morgan_re_signs_to_2.html live Gideon Gela-MosbyNorth Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys2017http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/mosby-resigns-until-2017-18698/ Mosby re-signs until 2017 - Zero Tackle 21 August 2015 zerotackle.com 15 January 2018 26 August 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150826110122/http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/mosby-resigns-until-2017-18698/ liveBen SpinaNorth Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys2017http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/spina-extends-cowboys-contract-17761/ Spina extends Cowboys contract - Zero Tackle 10 June 2015 zerotackle.com 15 January 2018September 2026 InternetArchiveBot Jason TaumaloloNorth Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys2017http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2015/02/27/taumalolo_extends_co.html Taumalolo extends NQ contract 26 February 2015 cowboys.com.au 15 January 2018 1 March 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150301182426/http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2015/02/27/taumalolo_extends_co.html live Ray ThompsonNorth Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys2017http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/thompson-re-signs-with-cowboys-17831/ Thompson re-signs with Cowboys - Zero Tackle 16 June 2015 zerotackle.com 15 January 2018 30 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150630184057/http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/thompson-re-signs-with-cowboys-17831/ live Ladder Fixtures NRL Auckland Nines 2015 NRL Auckland Nines The NRL Auckland Nines is a pre-season rugby league nines competition featuring all 16 NRL clubs. The 2015 competition was played over two days on January 31 and February 1 at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. The Cowboys featured in the Waiheke pool and played Melbourne, Penrith and South Sydney. The top two teams of each pool qualified for the quarter-finals. The Cowboys, who were the defending champions, were knocked out in the quarter-finals. Pool Play Waiheke poolTeamPld Games playedW WonD DrawnL LossPF Points for (total points scored)PA Points against (total points conceded)PD Points difference (points scored minus points conceded)Pts Competition pointsSouth Sydney 16 South Sydney Rabbitohs33005420+346North Queensland 16 North Qld Cowboys32014335+84Melbourne 16 Melbourne Storm31023245-132Penrith 16 Penrith Panthers30031645-290 Date Time (Local) Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals Saturday, 31 January1:20pmRound 1Melbourne 16 Melbourne StormEden Park17 – 8Lowe (bonus try), O'Neill, WrightWright (2)Saturday, 31 January5:40pmRound 2South Sydney 16 South Sydney RabbitohsEden Park12 – 19O'Neill (2), Cooper-Sunday, 1 February12:25pmRound 3Penrith 16 Penrith PanthersEden Park14 – 8Feldt, Moga, TaumaloloLui (1)Sunday, 1 February2:30pmQuarter-finalParramatta 16 Parramatta EelsEden Park11 – 17Granville (bonus try), O'NeillMorgan (1) Legend: #CCFFCC Win 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFBBBB Loss 1px solid #AAAAAA Pre-season Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals AttendanceSaturday, 7 FebruaryTrial 1Brisbane 16 Brisbane BroncosStadium Mackay18 – 6Feldt, Granville, LuiFeldt (3)-Saturday, 14 FebruaryTrial 2Townsville Blackhawks 16 Townsville BlackhawksJack Manski Oval24 – 12Bowen, Feldt, Kikau, King, NiemoellerBambling (1), Feldt (1)-Saturday, 21 FebruaryTrial 3Gold Coast Titans 16 Gold Coast TitansBarlow Park30 – 10Moga (2), Cooper, Granville, Tanginoa, WrightThurston (3)- Legend: #CCFFCC Win 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFBBBB Loss 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFFFCC Draw 1px solid #AAAAAA Regular season Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals AttendanceSaturday, 7 MarchRound 1Sydney Roosters 16 Sydney Roosters1300SMILES Stadium 4 – 28 O'Neill Thurston (0/1)17,123Saturday, 14 MarchRound 2Newcastle 16 Newcastle Knights1300SMILES Stadium14 – 16 Lowe, Scott Thurston (3/3), Feldt (0/1) 13,006Friday, 20 MarchRound 3Brisbane 16 Brisbane BroncosSuncorp Stadium22 – 44Feldt (2), Morgan, O'NeillThurston (3/4)40,047Monday, 30 MarchRound 4Melbourne 16 Melbourne Storm1300SMILES Stadium18 – 17Winterstein (2), WrightThurston (2/3, 2 FG)11,609Monday, 6 AprilRound 5Penrith 16 Penrith PanthersSportingbet Stadium30 – 10Wright (3), Coote, LoweThurston (5/6)8,409Monday, 13 AprilRound 6South Sydney 16 South Sydney RabbitohsANZ Stadium30 – 12Thurston (2) Granville, O'Neill, WintersteinThurston (5/6)13,866Saturday, 18 AprilRound 7New Zealand Warriors 16 New Zealand Warriors1300SMILES Stadium28 – 24Granville (3), Coote, LinnettThurston (4/5)16,038Saturday, 25 AprilRound 8Newcastle 16 Newcastle KnightsHunter Stadium26 – 24O'Neill (2), Bolton, Coote, MorganThurston (3/5)15,518Saturday, 9 MayRound 9Canterbury 16 Canterbury Bulldogs1300SMILES Stadium23 – 16Morgan (2), Cooper, WrightThurston (3/5, 1 FG)15,794Friday, 15 MayRound 10Brisbane 16 Brisbane Broncos1300SMILES Stadium31 – 20Morgan (3), Cooper, LoweThurston (4/5), Coote (1 FG)24,531Saturday, 23 MayRound 11Wests Tigers 16 Wests TigersCampbelltown Stadium8 – 0WintersteinLowe (2/2)8267Saturday, 30 MayRound 12Manly 16 Manly Sea Eagles1300SMILES Stadium18 – 14Scott (2), CooperThurston (3/3)14,196Monday, 8 JuneRound 13Parramatta 16 Parramatta EelsPirtek Stadium36 – 30Cooper (3), Linnett, Morgan, WrightThurston (6/6)9812Round 14ByeSaturday, 20 JuneRound 15Canberra 16 Canberra RaidersGIO Stadium21 – 20Cooper, Winterstein, WrightThurston (4/5, 1 FG)10,170Saturday, 27 JuneRound 16Cronulla 16 Cronulla Sharks1300SMILES Stadium18 – 24Granville, O'Neill, WintersteinLowe (3/4)18,826Saturday, 4 JulyRound 17St George Illawarra 16 St George Illawarra DragonsWIN Stadium18 – 12Linnett (2), GranvilleLowe (3/4)11,183Round 18ByeMonday, 20 JulyRound 19Manly 16 Manly Sea EaglesBrookvale Oval30 – 12Winterstein (2), Granville, Linnett, MorganThurston (5/6)7,643Monday, 27 JulyRound 20Parramatta 16 Parramatta Eels1300SMILES Stadium46 – 4Taumalolo (2), Coote, Kostjasyn, Linnett, Winterstein, WrightThurston (7/8)13,767 Saturday, 1 AugustRound 21Canberra 16 Canberra Raiders1300SMILES Stadium32 – 24Winterstein (2), Cooper, Granville, MorganThurston (6/7)16,207Saturday, 8 AugustRound 22Cronulla 16 Cronulla SharksRemondis Stadium18 – 30Linnett, Winterstein, WrightThurston (3/4)13,878Thursday, 13 AugustRound 23South Sydney 16 South Sydney Rabbitohs1300SMILES Stadium18 – 31Coote, Morgan, O'NeillThurston (3/3)16,685Saturday, 22 AugustRound 24New Zealand Warriors 16 New Zealand WarriorsMt Smart Stadium50 – 16Feldt (3), O'Neill (2), Hess, Linnett, Spina, ThurstonThurston (7/9)14,412Saturday, 29 AugustRound 25Melbourne 16 Melbourne StormAAMI Park6 – 14FeldtThurston (1/1)15,214Saturday, 5 SeptemberRound 26Gold Coast Titans 16 Gold Coast Titans1300SMILES Stadium42 – 12Linnett (2), Winterstein (2), Cooper, Coote, Granville, Tamou, ThompsonThurston (2/4), Feldt (1/3), Lowe (0/2)16,977 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 AttendanceSaturday, 12 SeptemberQualifying FinalBrisbane 16 Brisbane BroncosSuncorp Stadium 16 – 12 Thurston, Winterstein Thurston (2/3) 50,388Saturday, 19 SeptemberSemi-finalCronulla 16 Cronulla Sharks1300SMILES Stadium39 – 0 Michael Morgan (2), Bolton, Feldt, Lowe, O'Neill, Winterstein Thurston (5/8, 1 FG)21,683Saturday, 26 SeptemberPreliminary FinalMelbourne 16 Melbourne StormAAMI Park32 –12 Cooper (2), Michael Morgan (2), O'Neill (2) Thurston (4/6) 29,315Sunday, 4 OctoberGrand FinalBrisbane 16 Brisbane BroncosANZ Stadium17 – 16Feldt, O'Neill, Tamou Thurston (2/3, 1 FG) 82,758 Legend: #CCFFCC Win 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFBBBB Loss 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFFFCC Draw 1px solid #AAAAAA Statistics NameAppTGFGPtsJohn Asiata25----Scott Bolton rugby league202--8Gavin Cooper2711--44Lachlan Coote266-125Kyle Feldt981-34Jake Granville Jake Granville2810--40Glenn Hall Glenn Hall (rugby league)3----Ben Hannant Ben Hannant28----Coen Hess11--4Sam Hoare Sam Hoare (rugby league, born 1991)9----Patrick Kaufusi1----Cameron King2----Rory Kostjasyn231--4Kane Linnett2810--40Ethan Lowe2848-32Robert Lui4----Tautau Moga6----Michael Morgan Michael Morgan (rugby league b.1991)2315--60Justin O'Neill Justin O'Neill2613--52Matthew Scott Matthew Scott (rugby league)253--12Ben Spina51--4James Tamou242--8Kelepi Tanginoa3----Jason Taumalolo262--8Ray Thompson Ray Thompson (rugby league)91--4Johnathan Thurston254936208Antonio Winterstein2616--64Matthew Wright Matthew Wright (rugby league)179--36 Totals 119 102 7 687 Representatives The following players have played a representative match in 2015 All Stars match ANZAC Test Melanesian Cup Polynesian Cup State of Origin 1 State Of Origin 2 State of Origin 3 Viliame Kikau - - Fiji - - - - Tautau Moga - - - Samoa - - - Michael Morgan - - - - Queensland Queensland Queensland Matthew Scott - Australia - - Queensland Queensland Queensland James Tamou - Australia - - New South Wales New South Wales New South Wales Jason Taumalolo NRL All Stars - - - - - - Ray Thompson Indigenous All Stars - Papua New Guinea - - - - Johnathan Thurston Indigenous All Stars Australia - - Queensland Queensland Queensland Antonio Winterstein NRL All Stars - - - - - - Honours League Golden Boot: Johnathan Thurston Clive Churchill Medal: Johnathan Thurston Dally M Medal: Johnathan Thurston Dally M Halfback of the Year: Johnathan Thurston Dally M Lock of the Year: Jason Taumalolo Dally M Captain of the Year: Matthew Scott and Johnathan Thurston Rugby League Players Association Player of the Year: Johnathan Thurston NYC Team of the Year: Gideon Gela-Mosby, Coen Hess, Viliame Kikau Club Paul Bowman Medal: Johnathan Thurston Players' Player: Jake Granville Member's Player of the Year: Jake Granville Club Person of the Year: Glenn Hall Most Improved: Justin O'Neill Rookie of the Year: Coen Hess NYC Player of the Year: Andrew Niemoeller Townsville Bulletin's Fan Choice Award: Johnathan Thurston Feeder Clubs National Youth Competition North Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys - 2nd, lost preliminary final Queensland Cup Mackay Cutters 16 Mackay Cutters - 8th, missed finals Northern Pride 16 Northern Pride - 6th, lost elimination final Townsville Blackhawks 16 Townsville Blackhawks - 1st, lost Grand Final References 2 27 27 53 S 153 0 34 E title Category:North Queensland Cowboys seasons North Queensland Cowboys season