Having formed an identity as North Queensland's team and showing memorable glimpses of brilliance throughout 1995, meant the following year displayed a steady improvement on the playing field.
New players to the club in 1996 included former Brisbane Bronco Martin Locke, Steve Edmed from Balmain and Canberra's Jason Death.
Josh Hannay made rugby league history by being the second youngest player to be named in the starting lineup for an ARL match, at just 16.
Rugby league was again shrouded in off field drama as the ARL and Super League debate ended up in court.
After the 1995 season, the Cowboys franchise formed a joint venture with News Ltd which allowed input of extra funding to further redevelop facilities for 1996.
Cowboy fans continued to fill the stadium, enjoying lively pre-match entertainment and supporting a team who represented the region with pride.
Under new coach Graeme Lowe, the Cowboys had several memorable victories including the first back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Cronulla.
Season Statistics
- Captain: Paul Galea & Dean Schifilliti
- Coach: Graeme Lowe
- Wins: 6, Losses: 18
- Points for: 268, Points against: 643
- Top point scorer: Shane Howarth (49)
- Finished: 17th
- Player of the Year: Steve Edmed
- Average home crowd: 19,336
