2009 North Queensland Cowboys season

June 2020 August 2019 2009 navy white NRL NRL 12th 11 0 13 558 474 Missed finals CEO Peter Parr Coach Neil Henry Johnathan Thurston Dairy Farmers Stadium 17,309 24,332 (vs. Brisbane Broncos, Round 25) Matthew Bowen (12) Willie Tonga (12) Johnathan Thurston (79) Johnathan Thurston (202) 2008 2010 The 2009 North Queensland Cowboys season was the 15th season in the club's history. Coached by Neill Henry and captained by Johnathan Thurston, they competed in the National Rugby League's 2009 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season 12th place, failing to reach the finals for the second consecutive year. Season summary The 2009 season was an improvement on 2008 for the Cowboys, with 11 wins from 24 games. The closeness of the 2009 season meant the Cowboys finished 12th, just three points behind eventual Grand Finalists Parramatta, who finished 8th. Neil Henry re-joined the club as head coach in 2009, taking over from interim head coach Ian Millward. Henry was an assistant coach at the club from 2002 to 2006, before moving to the Canberra Raiders in 2007 and winning the Dally M Coach of the Year award in 2008. Renowned strength and conditioning coach Billy Johnstone also returned to the club after a stint at the Gold Coast Titans. The club's key off-season recruits included Australian and Queensland representatives Willie Tonga, Antonio Kaufusi and Shannon Hegarty. After a slow start to the season, the Cowboys enjoyed a strong run of form that included a four-game winning streak. With five rounds to play, they were sitting inside the top eight in 6th position. The club then endured four-game losing streak to end the season, dropping to 12th place. 2009 saw the debut of James Tamou, who joined the club from the Sydney Roosters under-20's side. Tamou would become an Australian and New South Wales representative at the Cowboys and play integral role in the club's maiden premiership victory in 2015. Milestones Round 1: Shannon Hegarty, Antonio Kaufusi, Manase Manuokafoa and Willie Tonga made their debuts for the club. Round 2: Grant Rovelli made his debut for the club. Round 5: Steve Southern played his 100th game for the club. Round 5: Steve Rapira made his NRL debut. Round 8: James Tamou made his NRL debut. Round 15: Michael Bani made his debut for the club. Round 17: Luke O'Donnell played his 100th game for the club. Round 17: Johnathan Thurston played his 100th game for the club. Round 17: Aaron Payne played his 150th game for the club. Round 22: Donald Malone made his NRL debut. Round 26: Ray Thompson made his NRL debut. Squad List North Queensland Cowboys NRL Squad 2009 navy white white navy AUS PR Mitch Achurch AUS HK Clint Amos AUS WG Michael Bani AUS SR Matthew Bartlett AUS SR Scott Bolton AUS CE Brandon Boor AUS FB Matthew Bowen AUS FE Travis Burns AUS CE Ben Farrar NZL WG Ashley Graham NZL CE Ben Harris AUS CE Shannon Hegarty AUS PR Antonio Kaufusi AUS CE Donald Malone AUS PR Manase Manuokafoa AUS LK Luke O'Donnell AUS PR David Pangai PNG HK Aaron Payne AUS CE Anthony Perkins AUS PR Steve Rapira AUS HB Grant Rovelli ITA PR Matthew Scott AUS LK Nick Slyney PNG SR Steve Southern FJI PR James Tamou FJI HB Ray Thompson NZL HB Johnathan Thurston y NZL CE Willie Tonga AUS PR Shane Tronc NZL HK Anthony Watts PNG PR Carl Webb NZL PR Dayne Weston AUS WG John Williams NZL WG Ty Williams Neil Henry Mick Crawley (assistant coach) Matt Parish (assistant coach) Billy Johnstone (strength & conditioning coach) Glen Murphy (Athletic Performance Manager) Squad Movement 2009 Gains Player Signed From Until end of Mitch AchurchWests Tigers 16 Wests Tigers 2010 Clint AmosGold Coast Titans 16 Gold Coast Titans 2010 Michael BaniManly 16 Manly Sea Eagles (mid-season) 2011 Shannon HegartySouth Sydney 16 South Sydney RabbitohsHegarty snapped up by Cowboys https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/hegarty-snapped-up-by-cowboys-20090124-gdtaxx.html The Sydney Morning Herald 21 April 2026 en 23 January 2009 2009 Antonio KaufusiMelbourne 16 Melbourne StormNorth Queensland Cowboys can storm finals, says Antonio Kaufusi https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/cowboys-can-storm-finals/news-story/ef154d2781c1a3fccb60e947b74579b9 Fox Sports 21 April 2026 en 22 January 2009 NEW North Queensland enforcer Antonio Kaufusi has likened a revamped Cowboys squad to the powerhouse Melbourne team 2011 Donald MaloneIpswich 16 Ipswich Jets 2010 Manase ManuokafoaSouth Sydney 16 South Sydney Rabbitohs 2011 David PangaiSydney 16 Sydney Roosters 2009 Steve RapiraNew Zealand Warriors old 16 WarriorsLeague: Cowboys bring their big guns to town https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-league/nrl/league-cowboys-bring-their-big-guns-to-town/5OYNP6MLCASU4MR5YTCV3JU2CM/ NZ Herald 21 April 2026 en-NZ 2010 Grant RovelliNew Zealand Warriors old 16 WarriorsNQ Cowboys rope in Rovelli https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/sport/nq-cowboys-rope-in-rovelli/news-story/999e372827346b01078703c87051f78c#:~:text=GRANT%20Rovelli%20is%20returning%20to,the%20Queensland%20Cup%20in%202009. Courier Mail 21 April 2026 2010 James TamouSydney 16 Sydney Roosters 2010 Willie TongaCanterbury 16 Canterbury BulldogsWillie to fire for Cowboys https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/willie-to-fire-for-cowboys/news-story/ec34ad8c493d45f476086224bffabf60 Fox Sports 21 April 2026 en 30 October 2008 2012 2009 Losses Player Signed To Until end of Daniel BackoReleased - Greg ByrnesNorthern Pride 16 Northern Pride 2009 Ray CashmereSalford City 16 Salford City RedsSalford swoop for Swain https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/salford-swoop-for-swain-6881109.html The Standard 21 April 2026 en 12 April 2012 The 26-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Reds and will join North Queensland prop Ray Cashmere 2010 Ben FarrarManly 16 Manly Sea Eagles (mid-season) 2010 Sione FaumuinaCastleford 16 Castleford TigersCastleford sign back-row Faumuina http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/castleford/7572799.stm Sky Sports 21 April 2026 20 August 2008 2010 Sam FaustWests Tigers 16 Central Tigers 2009 John FrithReleased - George GatisRetired Gatis calls it quits https://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/sport/league/561922/By-George-Gatis-calls-it-quits www.stuff.co.nz 21 April 2026 - Luke HarlenNorthern Pride 16 Northern Pride 2009 Mark HenrySalford City 16 Salford City RedsCity Reds complete Henry signing http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/7594204.stm BBC Sport 21 April 2026 2 September 2008 2010 Keiron LanderIpswich 16 Ipswich Jets 2010 Jacob LillymanNew Zealand Warriors old 16 WarriorsWarriors sign Origin backrower https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/495683/Warriors-sign-Origin-backrower www.stuff.co.nz 21 April 2026 2010 Jackson NicolauGold Coast Titans 16 Gold Coast Titans 2009 Chris SheppardNorthern Pride 16 Northern Pride 2010 Justin SmithRetired - Ben VaeauEasts Tigers 16 Easts Tigers 2010 Ladder Fixtures Pre-season Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals Attendance21 FebruaryTrial 1New Zealand Warriors old 16 WarriorsNorth Harbour Stadium28 – 32 - - -28 FebruaryTrial 2Penrith 16 Penrith PanthersBarlow Park18 – 18 - - - 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 Attendance13 MarchRound 1Brisbane 16 BrisbaneSuncorp Stadium18 – 19 Bowen, Tonga, Webb Thurston (3/3) 45,02221 MarchRound 2Wests Tigers 16 Wests TigersDairy Farmers Stadium42 – 14 Bowen, Burns, Kaufusi, Payne, Webb, J Williams, T Williams Thurston (7/7) 19,87928 MarchRound 3Melbourne 16 MelbourneDairy Farmers Stadium12 – 26 Bolton, J Williams Thurston (2/2) 21,4896 AprilRound 4Canberra 16 Canberra RaidersCanberra Stadium18 – 23 Burns, Farrar, J Williams Thurston (3/3) 12,19811 AprilRound 5Gold Coast Titans 16 Gold Coast TitansDairy Farmers Stadium10 – 14 Hegarty, Thurston Thurston (1/2) 18,12319 AprilRound 6Cronulla 16 Cronulla SharksHindmarsh Stadium34 – 10 Bowen, Farrar, Hegarty, O'Donnell, Tonga, Tronc Thurston (5/6) 8,54725 AprilRound 7Manly 16 Manly Sea EaglesDairy Farmers Stadium26 – 12 Bowen (2), Bolton, Farrar Thurston (5/5) 16,1531 MayRound 8Parramatta 16 Parramatta EelsParramatta Stadium18 – 28 Farrar, Southern, Tamou Thurston (3/3) 8,1049 MayRound 9St George Illawarra 16 St George IllawarraDairy Farmers Stadium24 – 20 Thurston (3), Tamou Thurston (4/5( 16,03117 MayRound 10New Zealand Warriors old 16 WarriorsMt Smart Stadium34 – 12 Bowen, Farrar, Graham, O'Donnell, Thurston, Tonga Thurston (5/6) 16,34525 MayRound 11Newcastle 16 Newcastle KnightsDairy Farmers Stadium36 – 10 Burns, Kaufusi, O'Donnell, Southern, Thurston, J Williams Thurston (6/7) 11,892Round 12Bye6 JuneRound 13South Sydney 16 South Sydney RabbitohsDairy Farmers Stadium46 – 12 Graham (2), J Williams (2), Bolton, Bowen, Payne, Scott, T Williams Thurston (5/9) 16,56814 JuneRound 14St George Illawarra 16 St George Illawarra DragonsWIN Stadium18 – 32 O'Donnell, Tonga, T Williams Thurston (3/3) 11,37420 JuneRound 15Sydney 16 Sydney RoostersDairy Farmers Stadium24 – 22 Burns, Payne, Southern, Webb J Williams (4/4) 13,48626 JuneRound 16Canterbury 16 Canterbury BulldogsANZ Stadium18 – 30 Payne, Watts, J Williams Thurston (3/3) 13,4614 JulyRound 17Cronulla 16 Cronulla SharksDairy Farmers Stadium24 – 4 Bowen (2), J Williams, T Williams Thurston (4/5) 17,283Round 18Bye19 JulyRound 19Wests Tigers 16 Wests TigersLeichhardt Oval14 – 34 Bowen, Webb Thurston (3/3) 18,80425 JulyRound 20Penrith 16 Penrith PanthersDairy Farmers Stadium20 – 28 Thurston, Tonga, Webb, J Williams Thurston (2/4) 14,27431 JulyRound 21Gold Coast Titans 16 Gold Coast TitansSkilled Park34 – 18 Bowen (2), Bani, Rapira, Tonga, J Williams Thurston (5/6) 20,3157 AugustRound 22Melbourne 16 Melbourne StormOlympic Park8 – 20 Tonga (2) Thurston (0/2) 10,51014 AugustRound 23Canterbury 16 Canterbury BulldogsDairy Farmers Stadium12 – 22 Thurston, Tonga Thurston (2/2) 18,19922 AugustRound 24Newcastle 16 Newcastle KnightsEnergyAustralia Stadium26 – 32 Thurston (2), Bani, Tonga, Watts Thurston (3/5) 15,40828 AugustRound 25Brisbane 16 Brisbane BroncosDairy Farmers Stadium10 – 16 O'Donnell, Tonga Thurston (1/2) 24,3326 SeptemberRound 26Sydney 16 Sydney RoostersSFS32 – 16 Graham, Malone, Thurston, Tonga, Tronc, T Williams Thurston (4/6) 10,277 Legend: #CCFFCC Win 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFBBBB Loss 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFFFCC Draw 1px solid #AAAAAA #cfecec Bye 1px solid #AAAAAA Statistics NameAppTGFGPtsClint Amos4----Michael Bani92--8Scott Bolton rugby league243--12Matthew Bowen2012--48Travis Burns Travis Burns (rugby league)204--16Ben Farrar105--20Ashley Graham Ashley Graham (rugby league)164--16Ben Harris Ben Harris (rugby league)8----Shannon Hegarty52--8Antonio Kaufusi222--8Donald Malone21--4Manase Manuokafoa12----Luke O'Donnell175--20Aaron Payne164--16Steve Rapira161--4Grant Rovelli13----Matthew Scott Matthew Scott (rugby league)231--4Steve Southern203--12James Tamou122--8Ray Thompson Ray Thompson (rugby league)1----Johnathan Thurston231179-202Willie Tonga1912--48Shane Tronc242--8Anthony Watts Anthony Watts (rugby league)142--8Carl Webb225--20Dayne Weston2----John Williams John Williams (rugby league, born 1985)17104-48Ty Williams175--20 Totals 98 83 0 558 Source:http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2009/north-queensland-cowboys/summary.html NRL 2009 - North Queensland Cowboys - Rugby League Project Representatives The following players have played a representative match in 2009 City vs Country ANZAC Test State of Origin 1 State of Origin 2 State of Origin 3 Prime Minister's XIII Four NationsLuke O'Donnell City - New South Wales New South Wales - Prime Minister's XIII - Matthew Scott - - - - Queensland Prime Minister's XIII - Johnathan Thurston - Australia Queensland Queensland Queensland Prime Minister's XIII Australia Willie Tonga - - - Queensland Queensland - - Honours League Dally M Halfback of the Year: Johnathan Thurston RLIF Halfback of the Year: Johnathan Thurston Club Paul Bowman Medal: Luke O'Donnell Player's Player: Luke O'Donnell Club Person of the Year: Clint Amos Rookie of the Year: Steve Rapira Most Improved: Scott Bolton NYC Player of the Year: Dane Hogan Feeder Clubs National Youth Competition North Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys - 9th, missed finals Queensland Cup Mackay Cutters 16 Mackay Cutters - 12th, Wooden Spoon Northern Pride 16 Northern Pride - 2nd, Runners-up References External links North Queensland Cowboys: Season Review - NRL.com 19 18 58 S 146 42 43 E Willow Sports Complex title Category:North Queensland Cowboys seasons North Queensland Cowboys season