1997 was a significant year for rugby league as there were two major competitions.
The North Queensland Cowboys were part of the 10-team Super League competition under new coach Tim Sheens.
Seasoned campaigners Steve Walters, Owen Cunningham and Ian Roberts joined the club.
Major redevelopment work on the stadium and training facilities were completed. Improvements included construction of Northern and Southern grandstands increasing crowd capacity from 23,500 to 31,500.
Changes and improvements to the Club's training facilities were designed and overseen by Coach Sheens. Once completed, the Cowboys training infrastructure were classed as the best in rugby league.
On the playing field the Cowboys fortunes faded after a promising start to the season.
With five teams finishing within a few points of each other, North Queensland finished in 10th position.
In the World Club competition, an innovation by Super League which was played in Australia and England, the Cowboys won all three matches in Australia, but lost in England, and missed out on the competition finals.
Season Statistics
- Captains: Ian Roberts & Steve Walters
- Coach: Time Sheens
- Wins: 5, Losses: 11
- Points for: 328, Points against: 452
- Top point scorer: Shane Howarth (49)
- Finished: 10th
- Player of the Year: Owen Cunningham
- Average home crowd: 17, 539
Representative Players
- Steve Walters & Owen Cunningham: Queensland Tri-Series
- Ian Roberts: New South Wales Tri-Series
- Steve Walters: Australian Super League Squad
- John Lomax, Tyran Smith: New Zealand Tri-Series
