The Cowboys 2018 season-opener saw life member Johnathan Thurston celebrate his 300th NRL game and club-record 271st club appearance with a six-point win over the Cronulla Sharks at 1300SMILES Stadium.
From there, it was an uphill climb for the club, heading into August with a 5-15 record.
The team did finish the season on a high though, winning three of their four games, including a 34-30 win over the Brisbane Broncos in Thurston’s final XXXX Derby.
The final game of the season saw the club and NRL farewell the legend Johnathan Thurston with a 30-26 win over the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium, with Gavin Cooper scoring in a record-breaking ninth game, the most of a forward since Frank Burge since 1918.
In the representative arena, Gavin Cooper, Coen Hess and Michael Morgan all appeared for Queensland, while Jason Taumalolo (Tonga), and Jordan McLean (Australia) played International football.
Both the Northern Pride (3rd) and Northern Pride (4th) both made the playoffs in the Queensland Cup, losing in the elimination final, while the Mackay Cutters finished in 14th.
Season Statistics
- Captains: Matt Scott and Johnathan Thurston
- Coach: Paul Green
- Principal Sponsor: Toyota
- Wins: 8, Losses: 16, Draws: 0
- Points for: 449, Points against: 521
- Top point scorer: Johnathan Thurston (166)
- Finished: 13th
- Average home crowd: 15,417
Representative Players
- Jason Taumalolo: Tonga
- Te Maire Martin: New Zealand
- Jordan McLean: Australia
- Gavin Cooper, Coen Hess, Michael Morgan: State of Origin
