Meet the Cowboys
Your New Favourite Club (If You Want Underdogs Who Rode Into Glory and Never Looked Back)
They weren’t born into legacy. They didn’t inherit greatness.
The North Queensland Cowboys had to build it—one tough, bloody, unforgettable season at a time.
If you love a team that fights for every inch and makes magic when it matters most, saddle up.
Welcome to Townsville
Formed in 1995, the Cowboys were created to give rugby league a home in the wild, vast north.
And North Queensland delivered—with fans, fury, and pride.
It wasn’t easy. For years, the Cowboys were everyone’s second team because… well, they weren’t winning much.
But no one gave up on them.
And in 2015, they cashed in all those years of heartbreak in the most dramatic way possible.
2015: The Grand Final to End All Grand Finals
Tied 16–16. Final seconds. Ball in the hands of Johnathan Thurston.
He drops back. Strikes. Hits the post. Missed.
Extra time.
Cowboys force an error. Scrum. Michael Morgan takes the ball, throws a miracle flick-pass to Kyle Feldt, who dives into the corner.
Try.
Pandemonium.
Then JT steps up again. This time, from the sideline. Golden Point field goal.
Cowboys win their first premiership.
It was the most dramatic Grand Final in NRL history, and no one deserved it more.
JT: The Cowboy King
Johnathan Thurston isn’t just the face of the Cowboys.
He’s one of the greatest to ever play the game.
- Two-time Dally M Medal winner
- Clutch kicker
- Master playmaker
- Human highlight reel
And off the field? Pure class.
He built this club. He inspired a generation.
He made people care about rugby league in North Queensland.
Modern Cowboys: Ready to Ride Again
- Valentine Holmes – Fast, fearless, and ready to strike from anywhere.
- Tom Dearden – Young half with grit and game sense.
- Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Scott Drinkwater – All spark, all bite.
This team isn’t here to be polite.
They’re here to drag you into a dogfight and come out grinning.
The Vibe
The Cowboys are tough, regional, and proud.
They’re for fans who want a team that represents something bigger than a city—a region, a people, a way of life.
They didn’t grow up rich. They didn’t grow up famous.
They earned every ounce of respect the hard way.
Why Pick the Cowboys?
- You love a team that grinds, then shines
- You’re all about loyalty, toughness, and JT nostalgia
- You like your footy with dust on the boots and pride in the chest
- You want a team that’s for the people—no matter how far north you are
Climb in the saddle. The Cowboys are ridin’ again.
Welcome to The Footy Family
Continue your journey into the NRL
On Second Thought…
Not sure this is the right club for you? Consider taking our personality quiz find the team that matches your vibe, your loyalty, and your game-day energy.
Rather talk it out? Join Our Discord and find new fans just like you!