We’re counting down our final season at our inaugural home ground – with just three regular season home games left at 1300SMILES Stadium, we take a look at the rivalry played out in North Queensland between the Toyota Cowboys and the Brisbane Broncos.
History
Meetings – 27
Head to head – Cowboys 10 wins, Broncos 16 wins, 1 draw
Biggest victories – Cowboys def. Broncos 33-16 in Qualifying Final, 2012; Broncos def. Cowboys 50-8 in Rd 6, 2000.
First meeting
1995 – Round 5: Broncos def. Cowboys 20-12
North Queensland registered two victories in their inaugural season, but their best performance may have come against the team who would soon become their arch-rivals. Goal kicking cruelled the Cowboys, who missed all four of their attempts at goal in an eight-point loss to a star-studded Brisbane side. Lock Paul Galea, winger Justin Loomans and halfback Laurie Spina crossed for North Queensland. Wingers Willie Carne and Wendell Sailor as well as superstar halves Kevin Walters and Allan Langer scored the four Brisbane tries.
Highlight
2004 – semi final: Cowboys def. Broncos 10-nil
You can take your pick of games here, but the 2004 semi-final victory will go down in Cowboys folklore. It took 10 seasons for North Queensland to topple the Broncos, although they did save it for the most important game in the club’s short history. Playing their first-ever home final, the Cowboys produced a defensive display for the ages. Five-eighth David Myles scored the game’s only try, while centre Josh Hannay was a perfect three from three with the boot.
Last regular season game
2018 – Round 22: Cowboys def. Broncos 34-30
Another in a long line of thrilling finishes in recent seasons between the two clubs. Early tries to Gideon Gela-Mosby and Jason Taumalolo handed the Cowboys a 14-2 lead. A James Roberts intercept and a Matt Lodge barge over saw Brisbane storm back to tie the scores at 16-all, but a 56-metre penalty goal from Kyle Feldt gifted the Cowboys a two-point lead at the break. Brisbane scored the first two tries of the second half to race out to a 30-18 lead, but the Cowboys hit straight back through Kyle Feldt and Gavin Cooper to reduce the deficit to 30-28. After Anthony Milford had a try called back at the other end, Johnathan Thurston threaded a grubber through for Coen Hess to pounce and score the match-winner for the Cowboys.
Preview
The Cowboys sit 13th on the ladder, three points behind 10th placed Brisbane.
