2016 North Queensland Cowboys season

2016 North Queensland Cowboys season
NRL	1st
2016 record	Wins: 6; Draws: 0; Losses: 2
Points scored	For: 265; Against: 125
Team information
CEO	Greg Tonner
Coach	Paul Green
Captain	Johnathan Thurston Matthew Scott
Stadium	1300SMILES Stadium
Avg. Attend.	15,171
High. Attend.	19,308 (vs. Parramatta Eels, Round 8)
Top scorers
Tries	Kyle Feldt (7)
Goals	Johnathan Thurston (42)
Points	Johnathan Thurston (88)
< 2015 2017 >

The 2016 North Queensland Cowboys season is the 22nd in the club's history. Coached by Paul Green and co-captained by Johnathan Thurston and Matthew Scott, they compete in the NRL's 2016 Telstra Premiership. The Cowboys enter the season as Premiers, having won the 2015 NRL Grand Final.

Season summary

Milestones

• Round 1: Johnathan Thurston scored his 1,800th point in the NRL.
• Round 3: Lachlan Coote scored his 50th try in the NRL.
• Round 5: Javid Bowen made his NRL debut.
• Round 5: James Tamou played his 150th game for the club.
• Round 5: Javid Bowen scored his first NRL try.
• Round 7: Justin O'Neill played his 100th NRL game.
• Round 7: Johnathan Thurston scored his 1,000th point at 1300SMILES Stadium.

Squad List

North Queensland Cowboys NRL Squad 2016
First team squad								Coaching staff
John Asiata - LK, SR Scott Bolton - PR, LK Javid Bowen - CE, WG Josh Chudleigh - HK Gavin Cooper - SR Lachlan Coote - FB Kyle Feldt - WG Jake Granville - HK Ben Hannant - PR Coen Hess - SR Sam Hoare - PR		Shaun Hudson - CE, FB Jahrome Hughes - FB, FE Patrick Kaufusi - PR Rory Kostjasyn - HK, LK Kyle Laybutt - FE Kane Linnett - CE Ethan Lowe - SR Patrick Mago - SR Tautau Moga - CE, WG Michael Morgan - FE, FB Justin O'Neill - CE, WG		Kalyn Ponga - FB Matthew Scott (c) - PR Johnathan Thurston (c) - PR Ben Spina - PR, LK James Tamou - PR Jason Taumalolo - LK Ray Thompson - HK, HB Braden Uele - PR Antonio Winterstein - WG, CE				Head coach Paul Green Assistant coaches David Furner Todd Payten Legend: (c) Captain (vc) Vice captain Updated: 10 October 2015 Source(s): Cowboys Squad 2016

Squad Movement

Gains

Player	Signed From	Until End of	Notes
Shaun Hudson	Gold Coast Titans	2017	[1]
Jahrome Hughes	Townsville Blackhawks	2016	[2]
Patrick Mago	Canberra Raiders	2016	[3]

Losses

Player	Signed To	Until End of	Notes
Glenn Hall	Townsville Blackhawks	2016	[4]
Viliame Kikau	Penrith Panthers	2017	[5]
Cameron King	Parramatta Eels	2016	[6]
Robert Lui	Salford Red Devils	2016	[7]
Hezron Murgha	Townsville Blackhawks	2016	[8]
Zac Santo	Canberra Raiders	2016	[9]
Scott Schulte	Parramatta Eels	2016	[10]
Kelepi Tanginoa	Parramatta Eels	2016	[11]
Matthew Wright	Manly Sea Eagles (mid-season)	2018	[12]

Re-signings

Player	Club	Until End of	Notes
Lachlan Coote	North Queensland Cowboys	2018	[13]
Jake Granville	North Queensland Cowboys	2018	[14]
Antonio Winterstein	North Queensland Cowboys	2018	[15]

Ladder

2016 NRL season
Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	PF	PA	PD	Pts
1	North Queensland Cowboys	9	7	0	2	0	265	125	+140	14
2	Brisbane Broncos	9	7	0	2	0	246	111	+135	14
3	Melbourne Storm	9	7	0	2	0	208	110	+98	14
4	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	9	7	0	2	0	219	158	+61	14
5	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	9	5	0	4	0	173	152	+21	10
6	Canberra Raiders	9	4	1	4	0	217	199	+18	9
7	Penrith Panthers	9	4	0	5	0	168	179	−11	8
8	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	9	4	0	5	0	172	196	−24	8
9	New Zealand Warriors	9	4	0	5	0	190	232	−42	8
10	St. George Illawarra Dragons	9	4	0	5	0	89	186	−97	8
11	South Sydney Rabbitohs	9	3	0	6	0	182	199	−17	6
12	Gold Coast Titans	9	3	0	6	0	170	211	−41	6
13	Wests Tigers	9	3	0	6	0	184	239	−55	6
14	Sydney Roosters	9	2	0	7	0	167	207	−40	4
15	Newcastle Knights	9	1	1	7	0	102	293	−191	3
16	Parramatta Eels	9	6	0	3	0	164	119	+45	0^1

¹ Parramatta were deducted 12 competition points for gross long-term salary cap breaches, and are barred from receiving premiership points until they remove $770,000 from their payroll.

Fixtures

NRL Auckland Nines

The NRL Auckland Nines is a pre-season rugby league nines competition featuring all 16 NRL clubs. The Cowboys, whose side featured a returning Matthew Bowen, finished first in their pool before being eliminated by the Melbourne Storm in the quarter finals.

Pool Play

Rangitoto Pool
Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
North Queensland Cowboys	3	2	0	1	55	36	+19	4
Newcastle Knights	3	2	0	1	48	58	–10	4
Penrith Panthers	3	1	0	2	48	37	+11	2
Wests Tigers	3	1	0	2	36	56	–20	2

Date	Time (Local)	Round	Opponent	Venue	Score	Tries	Goals
Saturday, 6 February	1:20pm	Round 1	Newcastle Knights	Eden Park	28 – 12	Cooper (3), Gela-Mosby (2), O'Neill	M. Bowen (1), Morgan (1)
Saturday, 6 February	5:40pm	Round 2	Wests Tigers	Eden Park	12 – 13	Gela-Mosby (2), Winterstein	-
Sunday, 7 February	11:50am	Round 3	Penrith Panthers	Eden Park	15 – 11	Cooper, Hess, Lowe	Coote (1)
Sunday, 7 February	2:30pm	Quarter-final	Melbourne Storm	Eden Park	6 – 14	Kostjasyn	Coote (1)
Legend:       Win       Loss

Pre-season

Date	Round	Opponent	Venue	Score	Tries	Goals	Attendance
Saturday, 6 February	Trial 1	Brisbane Broncos	Salter Oval	26 – 48	Chudleigh, Creith, Hughes, Mago, Ponga	Laybutt (3/5)	8,122
Thursday, 11 February	Trial 2	Townsville Blackhawks	Jack Manski Oval	18 – 16	Cooper, Morgan, O'Neill	Thurston (3/3)	-
Sunday, 21 February	Trial 3	Leeds Rhinos	Headingley Stadium	38 – 4	O'Neill (2), Coote, Feldt, Linnett, Morgan, Thurston	Thurston (5/7)	19,778
Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw

Regular season

Date	Round	Opponent	Venue	Score	Tries	Goals	Attendance
Saturday, 5 March	Round 1	Cronulla Sharks	1300SMILES Stadium	20 – 14	Linnett, Lowe, O'Neill	Thurston (4/4)	15,519
Saturday, 12 March	Round 2	Parramatta Eels	Pirtek Stadium	16 – 20	Lowe, O'Neill, Taumalolo	Thurston (2/3)	12,194
Thursday, 17 March	Round 3	Sydney Roosters	1300SMILES Stadium	40 – 0	Bolton, Coote, Feldt, Linnett, Morgan, Taumalolo, Winterstein	Thurston (6/7)	8,099
Friday, 25 March	Round 4	Brisbane Broncos	Suncorp Stadium	20 – 21	Granville, Morgan, Lowe	Thurston (4/4)	46,176
Saturday, 2 April	Round 5	St George Illawarra Dragons	1300SMILES Stadium	36 – 0	Feldt (2), Bolton, Bowen, Cooper, O'Neill	Thurston (6/6)	17,444
Saturday, 9 April	Round 6	Penrith Panthers	Pepper Stadium	23 – 18	Bowen, Cooper, Feldt, O'Neill	Thurston (3/4), Coote (1 FG)	13,725
Friday, 15 April	Round 7	South Sydney Rabbitohs	1300SMILES Stadium	44 – 18	O'Neill (2), Cooper, Feldt, Lowe, Morgan, Thurston, Winterstein	Thurston (6/8)	15,487
Saturday, 23 April	Round 8	Parramatta Eels	1300SMILES Stadium	32 – 16	Morgan (2), Cooper, Coote, Winterstein	Thurston (6/7)	19,308
Saturday, 30 April	Round 9	Manly Sea Eagles	Brookvale Oval	34 – 18	Feldt (2), Cooper, Linnett, Morgan, Winterstein	Thurston (5/6)	11,734
Saturday, 14 May	Round 10	Melbourne Storm	Suncorp Stadium
Friday, 20 May	Round 11	Brisbane Broncos	1300SMILES Stadium
Saturday, 28 May	Round 12	St George Illawarra Dragons	WIN Stadium
Saturday, 4 June	Round 13	Newcastle Knights	1300SMILES Stadium
Monday, 13 June	Round 14	Cronulla Sharks	Southern Cross Group Stadium
	Round 15	Bye
Monday, 27 June	Round 16	Manly Sea Eagles	1300SMILES Stadium
Sunday, 3 July	Round 17	South Sydney Rabbitohs	Barlow Park
Monday, 11 July	Round 18	Canberra Raiders	GIO Stadium
	Round 19	Bye
Thursday, 21 July	Round 20	Canterbury Bulldogs	1300SMILES Stadium
TBC	Round 21	Melbourne Storm	1300SMILES Stadium
TBC	Round 22	Wests Tigers	Leichhardt Oval
TBC	Round 23	Sydney Roosters	Allianz Stadium
TBC	Round 24	New Zealand Warriors	1300SMILES Stadium
TBC	Round 25	Canterbury Bulldogs	Belmore Sports Ground
TBC	Round 26	Gold Coast Titans	1300SMILES Stadium
Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw       Bye

Statistics

Name	App	T	G	FG	Pts
Asiata, JohnJohn Asiata	6	-	-	-	-
Bolton, ScottScott Bolton	9	2	-	-	8
Bowen, JavidJavid Bowen	2	2	-	-	8
Cooper, GavinGavin Cooper	9	5	-	-	20
Coote, LachlanLachlan Coote	9	2	-	1	9
Feldt, KyleKyle Feldt	9	7	-	-	28
Granville, JakeJake Granville	9	1	-	-	4
Hannant, BenBen Hannant	9	-	-	-	-
Kaufusi, PatrickPatrick Kaufusi	3	-	-	-	-
Kostjasyn, RoryRory Kostjasyn	9	-	-	-	-
Linnett, KaneKane Linnett	7	3	-	-	12
Lowe, EthanEthan Lowe	9	4	-	-	16
Morgan, MichaelMichael Morgan	9	6	-	-	24
O'Neill, JustinJustin O'Neill	9	6	-	-	24
Scott, MatthewMatthew Scott	9	-	-	-	-
Tamou, JamesJames Tamou	9	-	-	-	-
Taumalolo, JasonJason Taumalolo	9	2	-	-	8
Thurston, JohnathanJohnathan Thurston	9	1	42	-	88
Winterstein, AntonioAntonio Winterstein	9	4	-	-	16
Totals		45	42	1	265

Representatives

The following players have played a representative match in 2016.

	All Stars match	ANZAC Test	Polynesian Cup	City vs Country	Residents match	State of Origin 1	State Of Origin 2	State of Origin 3	Four Nations
John Asiata	-	-	Samoa	-	-	-	-	-	-
Jahrome Hughes	-	-	-	-	Queensland	-	-	-	-
Patrick Kaufusi	-	-	Tonga	-	-	-	-	-	-
Rory Kostjasyn	-	-	-	Country	-	-	-	-	-
Kane Linnett	-	-	-	Country	-	-	-	-	-
Michael Morgan	-	Australia	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Matthew Scott	-	Australia	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
James Tamou	-	Australia	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Jason Taumalolo	-	New Zealand	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Johnathan Thurston	-	Australia	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Antonio Winterstein	-	-	Samoa	-	-	-	-	-	-
Matthew Wright	World All Stars	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

References

1. Meyn, Travis (22 July 2015). "Hudson moves to Cowboys as Origin star Brian Kelly agrees to stay on Gold Coast". The Gold Coast Bulletin.
2. Thompson, Michael (9 October 2015). "Jahrome Hughes signs with North Queensland Cowboys". The Townsville Bulletin.
3. Cowboys, NQ (2 February 2016). "First playing squads for 2016 named". NQ Cowboys.
4. "Blackhawks Gains and Losses". QRL.com.au. 17 November 2015.
5. "Panthers sign Quartet of Young Guns". Penrith Panthers. 10 June 2015.
6. "Eels Announce Two New Signings". Parramatta Eels. 13 August 2015.
7. Ryan, Nathan (6 October 2015). "England bound Robert Lui leaves door ajar for NRL return". FOX Sports Australia.
8. "Blackhawks Gains and Losses". QRL.com.au. 17 November 2015.
9. Tuxworth, Jon (20 December 2015). "Canberra Raiders hope Zac Santo can emulate Jordan Rapana and seize his chance". SMH.
10. Eels, Parra (21 October 2015). "Eels sign trio for 2016". Parramatta Eels.
11. Eels, Parra (21 October 2015). "Eels sign trio for 2016". Parramatta Eels.
12. Sea Eagles, Manly (22 April 2016). "Matthew Wright to join Manly". Manly Sea Eagles.
13. http://www.zerotackle.com/coote-re-signs-with-cowboys-21577/#p3Ie9vyfdx7zSB4J.97
14. http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2015/11/27/granville_extends_ti.html
15. http://www.cowboys.com.au/

Coordinates: 27°27′53″S 153°0′34″E / 27.46472°S 153.00944°E