2008 North Queensland Cowboys season

June 2020 August 2019 2008 navy white NRL NRL 15th 5 0 19 474 638 Missed finals CEO Peter Parr Coach Graham Murray (resigned on 19 May) Ian Millward (interim) Johnathan Thurston Dairy Farmers Stadium 18,102 24,332 (vs. Brisbane Broncos, Round 25) Ashley Graham (10) John Williams (10) John Williams (96) Johnathan Thurston (39) 2007 2009 The 2008 North Queensland Cowboys season was the 14th season in the club's history. They were coached by Graham Murray and captained by Johnathan Thurston, they competed in the National Rugby League's 2008 Telstra Premiership. On 19 May, Murray resigned as head coach after just three wins from the opening 10 games. He was replaced by assistant coach Ian Millward, who took over as interim head coach until the end of the season. The Cowboys finished the season in 15th place, avoiding the wooden spoon by points differential. Season summary The Cowboys entered the 2008 season optimistic about the finals chances after a preliminary final appearance in 2007. The club got off to the worst possible start, losing three straight games. They would win their next three but it proved to be a false dawn, as the side went on a club record 13-game losing streak. They finished the season with two wins from their final five games, finishing in 15th place and narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon. The season was plagued by injury, with key players Matthew Bowen, Luke O'Donnell, Matthew Scott and Johnathan Thurston all missing considerable playing time due to injuries. On April 2, the Cowboys signed former assistant coach and then-Canberra Raiders coach Neil Henry as their head coach for the 2009 season.http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/discard-joins-the-merrygoround-keen-to-coach-at-another-club/2008/04/01/1206850910728.html Discard joins the merry-go-round, keen to coach at another club 2 April 2008 A month later, Graham Murray re-signed as head coach and was replaced by his assistant Ian Millward as interim head coach for the rest of 2008. Millward's first win as head coach occurred in Round 22, as the Cowboys defeated the Canterbury Bulldogs 36–12 at Suncorp Stadium. Despite the poor season, the club still maintained the fourth highest home crowd average in the NRL with an average of 18,102. Milestones Round 1: Matthew Scott played his 50th game for the club. Round 1: Travis Burns and Ben Harris made their debuts for the club. Round 2: Dayne Weston made his debut for the club. Round 2: Obe Geia made his NRL debut. Round 4: Anthony Watts and John Williams made their debuts for the club. Round 8: Daniel Abraham made his debut for the club. Round 14: Nick Slyney made his NRL debut. Round 15: Greg Byrnes made his NRL debut. Round 16: Ashley Graham played his 50th game for the club. Round 16: Brandon Boor and Sam Bowie made their NRL debuts. Round 19: Luke Harlen made his debut for the club. Round 21: The club recorded their longest losing streak with their 13th straight loss. Round 22: Ray Cashmere played his 50th game for the club. Round 25: Shane Tronc played his 100th game for the club. Squad list North Queensland Cowboys NRL squad 2008 navy white white navy AUS SR Daniel Abraham AUS PR Daniel Backo AUS SR Matthew Bartlett AUS SR Scott Bolton AUS CE Brandon Boor AUS FB Matthew Bowen AUS WG Sam Bowie AUS FE Travis Burns AUS PR Greg Byrnes NZL PR Ray Cashmere AUS HK David Faiumu AUS CE Ben Farrar AUS SR Sione Faumuina AUS PR Sam Faust AUS SR John Frith AUS HK George Gatis AUS WG Obe Geia AUS WG Ashley Graham AUS PR Luke Harlen PNG CE Ben Harris PNG CE Mark Henry AUS LK Keiron Lander AUS PR Jacob Lillyman AUS FE Jackson Nicolau ITA LK Luke O'Donnell AUS HK Aaron Payne AUS CE Anthony Perkins AUS PR Matthew Scott FJI HB Chris Sheppard FJI LK Nick Slyney NZL FE Justin Smith NZL SR Steve Southern AUS HB Johnathan Thurston y NZL PR Shane Tronc PNG PR Ben Vaeau NZL HK Anthony Watts AUS PR Carl Webb NZL PR Dayne Weston NZL WG John Williams NZL WG Ty Williams Ian Millward (Interim) Matt Parish (assistant coach) Paul Bowman (assistant coach) Glen Murphy (strength & conditioning coach) Squad movement 2008 gains Player Signed from Until end of Daniel AbrahamNewcastle 16 Newcastle KnightsCowboys let Abraham go https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-06-20/cowboys-let-abraham-go/2478082 ABC News 20 April 2026 en-AU 20 June 2008 2008 Travis BurnsManly 16 Manly Sea EaglesCowboys snare Manly's Burns https://www.racingandsports.com.au/news/sports/rugby-league/2007-06-07/cowboys-snare-manlys-burns/105527 racingandsports.com.au 20 April 2026 2009 George GatisHuddersfield 16 Huddersfield Giants (mid-season)By George, Gatis calls it quits https://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/sport/league/561922 www.stuff.co.nz 20 April 2026 In a strange turn of events, Gatis, who returned to Australia with league far from his mind, has been handed a surprising lifeline by the Cowboys and is now back playing in the NRL. Ben HarrisBradford 16 Bradford BullsNew Cowboy Harris 'could've been a Red' https://www.smh.com.au/sport/new-cowboy-harris-couldve-been-a-red-20070718-gdqn36.html The Sydney Morning Herald 20 April 2026 en 17 July 2007 The manager of new Cowboys signing Ben Harris said on Tuesday the premiership-winning centre was close to switching codes before Queensland Reds coach Eddie Jones' departure 2010 Chris SheppardNorthern Pride 16 Northern Pride (mid-season)Sheppard Makes Intentions Clear http://www.qrl.com.au/display.php?pg_id=4242 www.qrl.com.au 20 April 2026 Sheppard had an outstanding 2008 season with the Pride, earning a call up to the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys NRL team and Queensland Residents squad before a broken foot ended his season after the first week of the finals. 2008 Anthony PerkinsMelbourne 16 Melbourne Storm 2009 Anthony WattsCronulla 16 Cronulla Sharks 2010 Dayne WestonCronulla 16 Cronulla Sharks 2009 John WilliamsSydney 16 Sydney Roosters 2010 2008 losses Player Signed to Until end of Daniel AbrahamMackay Cutters 16 Mackay Cutters (mid-season)Abraham turns his back on Cowboys https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/sport/abraham-turns-his-back-on-cowboys/news-story/d282d1512bd5306076698914fa8c04bc Courier Mail 20 April 2026 Barnstorming backrower Daniel Abraham is set to return to the Mackay Cutters after a six-week stint with the North Queensland Cowboys. Brett AndersonMelbourne 16 Melbourne Storm 2009 Brenton BowenGold Coast Titans 16 Gold Coast TitansBowen signs for Titans https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-06-20/bowen-signs-for-titans/76228 ABC News 20 April 2026 en-AU 20 June 2007Bowen signs two-year deal with Titans https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/nrl/bowen-signs-two-year-deal-with-titans-20070621-ge8sxy.html Brisbane Times 20 April 2026 en 20 June 2007 2009 Paul BowmanRetired Foundation Cowboy quits saddle https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/foundation-cowboy-quits-saddle/news-story/e40abca444361fd0cfdfea1dc283dd13 Fox Sports 20 April 2026 en 3 June 2007 NORTH Queensland foundation player Paul Bowman has announced that he will retire at the end of the 2007 NRL season.Cowboys centre Bowman to retire from NRL https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cowboys-centre-bowman-to-retire-from-nrl-20070605-gdqb39.html The Sydney Morning Herald 20 April 2026 en 4 June 2007 - David FaiumuHuddersfield 16 Huddersfield Giants (mid-season)Faiumu cleared for Huddersfield https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/faiumu-cleared-for-huddersfield-881144.html The Independent 20 April 2026 en 30 July 2008Lauriston Jade Kiwi all set for Giants https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/3886824/kiwi-all-set-for-giants Sky Sports 20 April 2026 The New Zealand hooker signed for the Giants in June from the North Queensland Cowboys, but there were issues with his paperwork. 2009 Jamie FrizzoNorthern Pride 16 Northern Pride (mid-season)Northern Pride's best 50 players: 41-50, ranked https://www.cairnspost.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CPWEB_WRE170_a_DDG&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cairnspost.com.au%2Fsport%2Fnorthern-prides-best-50-players-4150-ranked%2Fnews-story%2F748d3ea0ef79b1e5529906788c67e9a8&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium The Cairns Post The Cairns Post 27 March 2026 en Karl JohnsonNewcastle 16 Newcastle Knights 2008 Scott MintoRetired - Shane MusprattMackay Cutters 16 Mackay Cutters 2008 Jason SmithRetired Smith to call it quits https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-06-06/smith-to-call-it-quits/61684 ABC News 20 April 2026 en-AU 6 June 2007 Veteran Cowboys playmaker Jason Smith has announced he will retire at the end of the 2007 NRL season after 18 years in the game.Jason Smith announces NRL retirement https://www.smh.com.au/sport/jason-smith-announces-nrl-retirement-20070607-gdqboq.html The Sydney Morning Herald 20 April 2026 en 6 June 2007 - Neil SweeneyNewcastle 16 Newcastle Knights 2008 Colin WilkieReleased - Ladder Fixtures Pre-season Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals Attendance16 FebruaryTrial 1Brisbane 16 Brisbane BroncosBrowne Park10 – 20 Nicolau, Thompson Nicolau (1/2) -23 FebruaryTrial 2Gold Coast Titans 16 Gold Coast TitansBarlow Park22 – 30 Webb (2), Faust, T Williams Graham (3/4) -1 MarchTrial 3Canberra 16 Canberra RaidersDairy Farmers Stadium32 – 12 O'Donnell (3), Bowen, Southern, Webb Graham (3/4), Burns (1/2) - Regular season Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals Attendance14 MarchRound 1Gold Coast Titans 16 Gold Coast TitansSkilled Park18 – 36 Thurston (2), Harris Thurston (3/3) 26,97422 MarchRound 2Wests Tigers 16 Wests TigersDairy Farmers Stadium10 – 30 Graham, Harris Thurston (1/2) 20,65528 MarchRound 3Brisbane 16 Brisbane BroncosSuncorp Stadium2 – 36 - Thurston (1/1) 50,6125 AprilRound 4Parramatta 16 Parramatta EelsDairy Farmers Stadium38 – 14 Graham, Henry, Lillyman, Smith, Watts, Webb Thurston (7/7) 19,23112 AprilRound 5St George Illawarra 16 St George Illawarra DragonsWIN Stadium20 – 16 Smith, Thurston, Watts Thurston (4/4) 11,63919 AprilRound 6New Zealand Warriors old 16 WarriorsDairy Farmers Stadium48 – 20 Bowen (3), Harris (2), Graham, Smith, Southern, J Williams Thurston (6/8), Graham (0/1) 20,54426 AprilRound 7Melbourne 16 Melbourne StormDairy Farmers Stadium10 – 12 Henry, J Williams Thurston (1/2) 24,0534 MayRound 8South Sydney 16 South Sydney RabbitohsANZ Stadium24 – 28 Graham, Vaeau, Webb, J Williams Thurston (4/4) 9,81810 MayRound 9Cronulla 16 Cronulla SharksDairy Farmers Stadium18 – 24 Henry, O'Donnell, Webb Thurston (3/3) 17,06517 MayRound 10Manly 16 Manly Sea EaglesCentral Coast Stadium6 – 38 Farrar J Williams (1/1) 9,343Round 11Bye31 MayRound 12Penrith 16 Penrith PanthersDairy Farmers Stadium18 – 19 Abraham, Burns, Graham Thurston (3/4) 16,5537 JuneRound 13Wests Tigers 16 Wests TigersCampbelltown Stadium16 – 40 Harris, Slyney, T Williams J Williams (2/3) 10,48816 JuneRound 14Newcastle 16 Newcastle KnightsDairy Farmers Stadium18 – 30 Farrar (2), Bartlett Thurston (3/4) 14,23421 JuneRound 15Melbourne 16 Melbourne StormOlympic Park20 – 48 Cashmere, Henry, Webb, J Williams Thurston (2/4) 10,88028 JuneRound 16South Sydney 16 South Sydney RabbitohsDairy Farmers Stadium28 – 29 Graham (2), Cashmere, Harris, J Williams J Williams (4/5) 15,631Round 17Bye12 JulyRound 18New Zealand Warriors old 16 WarriorsMt Smart Stadium14 – 24 J Williams (2), Graham Thurston (1/3) 7,77218 JulyRound 19Brisbane 16 Brisbane BroncosDairy Farmers Stadium18 – 32 Southern, Tronc, J Williams J Williams (3/3) 22,04825 JulyRound 20Parramatta 16 Parramatta EelsParramatta Stadium4 – 16 J Williams J Williams (0/1) 7,2532 AugustRound 21Sydney 16 Sydney RoostersDairy Farmers Stadium20 – 32 Henry, O'Donnell, Weston, T Williams Thurston (2/4) 14,6019 AugustRound 22Canterbury 16 Canterbury BulldogsSuncorp Stadium36 – 12 T Williams (2), Burns, Cashmere, Faumuina, Graham, Webb J Williams (4/7) 8,54916 AugustRound 23Gold Coast Titans 16 Gold Coast TitansDairy Farmers Stadium20 – 26 O'Donnell, Weston, J Williams, T Williams J Williams (2/4) 17,60523 AugustRound 24Newcastle 16 Newcastle KnightsEnergyAustralia Stadium24 – 38 O'Donnell (2), Payne, T Williams J Williams (4/4) 10,32330 AugustRound 25Canberra 16 Canberra RaidersDairy Farmers Stadium22 – 10 Burns, Harris, Thurston, Webb J Williams (3/4) 14,9986 SeptemberRound 26Cronulla 16 Cronulla SharksToyota Stadium22 – 28 Graham, Scott, Tronc, T Williams J Williams (3/3), Thurston (0/1) 7,057 Legend: #CCFFCC Win 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFBBBB Loss 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFFFCC Draw 1px solid #AAAAAA #cfecec Bye 1px solid #AAAAAA Statistics NameAppTGFGPtsDaniel Abraham Daniel Abraham (rugby league)61--4Matthew Bartlett61--4Scott Bolton rugby league4----Brandon Boor2----Matthew Bowen63--12Sam Bowie Sam Bowie (rugby league)1----Travis Burns Travis Burns (rugby league)143--12Greg Byrnes3----Ray Cashmere243--12David Faiumu4----Ben Farrar183--12Sione Faumuina141--4Sam Faust10----George Gatis1----Obe Geia2----Ashley Graham Ashley Graham (rugby league)2210--40Luke Harlen5----Ben Harris Ben Harris (rugby league)247--28Mark Henry Mark Henry (rugby league)235--20Jacob Lillyman111--4Jackson Nicolau1----Luke O'Donnell155--20Aaron Payne241--4Matthew Scott Matthew Scott (rugby league)61--4Chris Sheppard rugby league1----Nick Slyney21--4Justin Smith Justin Smith (rugby league)113--12Steve Southern182--8Johnathan Thurston17439-94Shane Tronc182--8Ben Vaeau111--4Anthony Watts Anthony Watts (rugby league)122--8Carl Webb216--24Dayne Weston192--8John Williams John Williams (rugby league, born 1985)201028-96Ty Williams127--28 Totals 85 67 0 474 Source:http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2008/north-queensland-cowboys/summary.html NRL 2008 - North Queensland Cowboys - Rugby League Project Representatives The following players played a representative match in 2008. City vs Country ANZAC Test State of Origin 1 State of Origin 2 State of Origin 3 Prime Minister's XIII Indigenous v Māori World CupRay Cashmere City - - - - - - -Ben Harris Country - - - - - - -Jacob Lillyman - - Queensland - - - - -Luke O'Donnell - - - - - Prime Minister's XIII - -Johnathan Thurston - Australia Queensland Queensland Queensland - - AustraliaCarl Webb - Australia Queensland - - Prime Minister's XIII Indigenous -Ty Williams - - - - - - Indigenous - Honours League Wally Lewis Medal: Johnathan Thurston Club Paul Bowman Medal: Aaron Payne Player's Player: Aaron Payne Club Person of the Year: Aaron Payne Rookie of the Year: Nick Slyney Most Improved: Brandon Boor NYC Player of the Year: Nick Slyney Feeder clubs National Youth Competition North Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys - 16th, wooden spoon Queensland Cup Mackay Cutters 16 Mackay Cutters - 9th, missed finals Northern Pride 16 Northern Pride - 3rd, lost preliminary final References 19 18 58 S 146 42 43 E Willow Sports Complex title Category:North Queensland Cowboys seasons North Queensland Cowboys season