2012 North Queensland Cowboys season

The 2012 North Queensland Cowboys season was the 18th in the club's history. Coached by Neil Henry and captained by Johnathan Thurston, they competed in the National Rugby League's 2012 Telstra Premiership, finishing the regular season 5th (out of 16) to make the top eight play-off group. The Cowboys were then knocked out of contention during the finals by the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles for the second year in a row.

Summary

North Queensland will be hoping to build on its 7th place finish in 2011, after a near-wooden spoon 2010 season only prevented by the Melbourne Storm salary cap breach, with a strong 2012 season.

North Queensland's 2012 season did not start well, producing one of its worst performances in almost ten years as they lost 18-0 to the Gold Coast Titans at home,[1][2] with a completion rate of only 35%, the worst on record.[3] In Round 2, the Cowboys defeated the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, with Matthew Bowen scoring the match-winning try on his 30th birthday.

Round 3 saw the Cowboys defeat Parramatta 42–6 at home, its biggest ever win over the side.

Ladder

Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2418062568369+19940
2 Melbourne Storm 2417072579361+21838
3 South Sydney Rabbitohs 2416082559438+12136
4 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 2416082497403+9436
5 North Queensland Cowboys 2415092597445+15234
6 Canberra Raiders 24130112545536+930
7 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24121112445441+429
8 Brisbane Broncos 24120122481447+3428
9 St. George Illawarra Dragons 24110132405438-3326
10 Wests Tigers 24110132506551-4526
11 Gold Coast Titans 24100142449477-2824
12 Newcastle Knights 24100142448488-4024
13 Sydney Roosters 2481152462626-16421
14 New Zealand Warriors 2480162497609-11220
15 Penrith Panthers 2480162409575-16620
16 Parramatta Eels 2460182431674-24316

Players

Squad

Although other players may play for the North Queensland Cowboys during the year, all NRL clubs are required to select a top 25 First Grade squad at the beginning of the season.

North Queensland Cowboys
First team squad Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain
  • (vc) Vice captain
  • Injured

Updated: 29 July 2012
Source(s): Player Profiles, NRL Team,

Players who have also played this season who weren't in the squad named at the start of the year.

Player Movement

Squad changes from 2011 season.

Gains

Name From Details
Kane Linnett Sydney Roosters 2012–2013
Robert Lui Wests Tigers 2012–2013
Luke Harlen Northern Pride 2012–2012

Promoted From the U20 Squad

Losses

Name Club Going To Details
Willie Tonga Parramatta Eels 2012–2013
Leeson Ah Mau St George Illawarra Dragons 2012–2013
Michael Bani Canberra Raiders 2012–2012
Will Tupou Western Force (Rugby Union)
Isaak Ah Mau Redcliffe Dolphins
Shannon Gallant Berkeley Valley
Jack Cooper Cairns Rugby League
Dylan Smith Released
Clint Amos Retired

Mid Season Transfers

Gains

Name From Details
Anthony Mitchell Sydney Roosters Rest of 2012 - 2013

Fixtures & Results

Trial matches

Trial Match
4 February 2012
North Queensland Cowboys 22 - 28 Brisbane Broncos


Trial Match
11 February 2012
North Queensland Cowboys v St. George Illawarra Dragons


Telstra Premiership

Round 1
3 March 2012
North Queensland Cowboys 0 - 18 Gold Coast Titans
Report Tries:
Idris (2)
Michaels
Goals:
Prince (3/5)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 16,311
Referee/s: Steve Lyons & Alan Shortall


Round 2
9 March 2012
Brisbane Broncos 26-28 North Queensland Cowboys
Tries:
Beale
McGuire
Te'o
Yow Yeh
Goals:
Parker (5/5)		 Report Tries:
Bowen (2)
Johnson
Segeyaro
Tate
Goals:
Thurston (4/5)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 43,171
Referee/s: Jason Robinson & Gavin Reynolds


Round 3
17 March 2012
North Queensland Cowboys 42 - 6 Parramatta Eels
Tries:
Graham (3)
Bowen
Cooper
Linnett
Scott
Taumalolo
Goals:
Thurston (5/8)		 Report Tries:
O'Hanlon
Goals:
Sandow (1/1)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 8,239
Referee/s: Adam Devcich & Chris James


Round 4
24 March 2012
North Queensland Cowboys 14 - 20 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Tries:
Bowen
Cooper
Graham
Goals:
Thurston (1/4)		 Report Tries:
Fifita
Gallen
Pomeroy
Goals:
Carney (4/4)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 11,364
Referee/s: Gerard Sutton & Tony De Las Heras


Round 5
2 April 2012
Canberra Raiders 6 - 22 North Queensland Cowboys
Tries:
Mataora
Goals:
Croker (1/1)		 Report Tries:
Graham (2)
Tate
Thompson
Goals:
Thurston (3/4)
dairy farmers stadium, NQD
Attendance: 12,135
Referee/s: Jason Robinson & Chris James


Round 6
8 April 2012
North Queensland Cowboys 16 - 42 Melbourne Storm
Tries:
Bowen
Cooper
Tamou
Goals:
Thurston (6/7)		 Report Tries:
Chambers (2)
Duffie (2)
Proctor (2)
Hinchcliffe
Ryles
Goals:
Smith (5/8)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 20,206
Referee/s: Jarred Maxwell & Gavin Reynolds


Round 7
14 April 2012
Sydney Roosters 12 - 56 North Queensland Cowboys
Tries:
Kenny-Dowall
Leilua
Goals:
Anasta (2/2)		 Report Tries:
Bowen (2)
Taumalolo (2)
Winterstein (2)
Faifai-Loa
Graham
Thompson
Goals:
Thurston (6/8)
Bowen (1/1)
TIO Stadium, Darwin
Attendance: 10,008
Referee/s: Ashley Klein & Gavin Morris


Round 8
28 April 2012
South Sydney Rabbitohs 20-16 North Queensland Cowboys
Tries:
Inglis
Luke
Taylor
Goals:
Reynolds (4/4)		 Report Tries:
Graham (2)
Segeyaro
Goals:
Thurston (2/3)
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 12,213
Referee/s: Steve Lyons & Henry Perenara


Round 9
4 May 2012
North Queensland Cowboys 30-6 St. George Illawarra Dragons
Tries:
Bowen
Linnett
T. Sims
Tate
Thompson
Goals:
Thurston (3/6)
Bowen (2/2)		 Report Tries:
Morris
Goals:
Soward (1/1)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 15,006
Referee/s: Tony Archer & Gavin Badger


Round 10
12 May 2012
Newcastle Knights 12-32 North Queensland Cowboys
Tries:
Houston
Sa'u
Goals:
Tyrone Roberts (2/2)		 Report Tries:
Graham (2)
Cooper
Morgan
Thompson
Goals:
Thurston (6/6)
Ausgrid Stadium, Newcastle
Attendance: 18,191
Referee/s: Matt Cecchin & Gavin Morris


Round 11
19 May 2012
North Queensland Cowboys 30-28 Penrith Panthers
Tries:
Bowen
Cooper
Graham
A. Sims
Winterstein
Goals:
Bowen (5/7)		 Report Tries:
Burns
Coote
Mansour
Newton
Tighe
Goals:
Austin (3/3)
Walsh (1/2)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 11,648
Referee/s: Steve Lyons & Chris James


Round 12
27 May 2012
Wests Tigers 26-18 North Queensland Cowboys
Tries:
Moltzen (2)
Marhsall
Tuqiri
Goals:
Marshall (5/5)		 Report Tries:
Graham
Hall
Winterstein
Goals:
Thurston (3/3)
Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 13,059
Referee/s: Ben Cummins & Brett Suttor


Round 13
1 June 2012
Gold Coast Titans 28-12 North Queensland Cowboys
Tries:
Champion (2)
Bird
Gordon
Harrison
Goals:
Prince (4/5)		 Report Tries:
Paterson
Taumalolo
Goals:
Thurston (2/2)
Skilled Park, Gold Coast
Attendance: 12,092
Referee/s: Shayne Hayne & Alan Shortall


Round 14
BYE
v


Round 15
15 June 2012
North Queensland Cowboys 12-0 Brisbane Broncos
Tries:
Cooper
Linnett
Goals:
Thurston (2/2)		 Report
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 20,367
Referee/s: Jason Robinson & Gavin Morris


Round 16
23 June 2012
North Queensland Cowboys 40-18 Canberra Raiders
Tries:
Hall (2)
Graham
Winterstein
Thompson
Linnett
Bolton
Goals:
Thurston (5/6)
Bowen (1/1)		 Report Tries:
Croker
Dugan
Ferguson
Goals:
Croker (3/3)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 14,344
Referee/s: Brett Suttor & Alan Shortall


Round 17
1 July 2012
New Zealand Warriors 35-18 North Queensland Cowboys
Tries:
Henry (2)
Brown
Friend
Hurrell
Lillyman
Goals:
Maloney (5/6)
Field Goals:
Maloney		 Report Tries:
Cooper
Graham
Linnett
Goals:
Bowen (3/3)
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
Attendance: 15,374
Referee/s: Ashley Klein & Brett Suttor


Round 18
BYE
v


Round 19
14 July 2012
Melbourne Storm 16-20 North Queensland Cowboys
Tries:
Duffie
Quinn
Widdop
Goals:
Smith (2/3)		 Report Tries:
Linnett (2)
Tate
Goals:
Thurston (4/4)
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Attendance: 10,688
Referee/s: Tony Archer & Gavin Morris


Round 20
23 July 2012
North Queensland Cowboys 29-16 Wests Tigers
Tries:
Cooper
Faifai-Loa
Hall
Mitchell
Tate
Goals:
Thurston (4/5)
Field Goals:
Bowen		 Report Tries:
Farah
Fulton
Iosefa
Goals:
Marshall (2/3)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 12,357
Referee/s: Matt Cecchin & Gavin Badger
Man of the Match: Matthew Bowen


Round 21
28 July 2012
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 32-18 North Queensland Cowboys
Tries:
Barba (3)
Inu
Perrett
Goals:
Inu (6/6)		 Report Tries:
Linnett
Thurston
Winterstein
Goals:
Thurston (3/3)
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 15,650
Referee/s: Shayne Hayne & Gerard Sutton


Round 22
4 August 2012
North Queensland Cowboys 6-8 Manly Sea Eagles
Tries:
Linnett
Goals:
Thurston (1/1)		 Report Tries:
Foran
Goals:
Lyon (2/2)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 14,401
Referee/s: Shayne Hayne & Gerard Sutton


Round 23
11 August 2012
North Queensland Cowboys 52-12 New Zealand Warriors
Tries:
Graham (3)
Bowen
Winterstein
Linnett
Cooper
Tate
Payne
Goals:
Thurston (8/9)		 Report Tries:
Tuimavave
Vatuvei
Goals:
Maloney (2/2)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Referee/s: Ashley Klein & Chris James


Round 24
20 August 2012
St. George Illawarra Dragons 22-32 North Queensland Cowboys
Tries:
Creagh
Rein
Vidot
Hunt
Goals:
Soward (3/4)		 Report Tries:
Linnett (2)
Graham
Thurston
Bowen
Goals:
Thurston (6/6)
WIN Stadium, Wollongong


Round 25
24–27 August 2012
North Queensland Cowboys 22-14 Newcastle Knights
Tries:
Thurston
Bowen
Tate
Goals:
Thurston (5/5)		 Report Tries:
Tahu (2)
Gagai
Goals:
Roberts (1/3)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 15,119


Round 26
2 September 2012
Cronulla Sharks 22-36 North Queensland Cowboys
Tries:
Best
De Gois
Fifita
Gallen
Goals:
Carney (3/4)		 Report Tries:
Graham (2)
Cooper
Segeyaro
Tate
Taumalolo
Goals:
Thurston (6/7)
Toyota Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 16,829
Referee/s: Ben Cummins & Ashley Klein

Finals Series

Qualifying Final
8 September 2012
North Queensland Cowboys 33-16 Brisbane Broncos
Tries:
Morgan (3)
Bowen
Tate
Goals:
Thurston (6/7)
Field Goals:
Bowen		 Report Tries:
Copley
Norman
Thaiday
Goals:
Wallace (2/3)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 21,307
Referee/s: Matt Cecchin & Gerard Sutton
Semi Final
14 September 2007
Manly Sea Eagles 22 - 12 North Queensland Cowboys
Tries:
Oldfield (2)
B. Stewart
Taufua
Goals:
Lyon (3/5)		 Report Tries:
Tamou
Winterstein
Goals:
Thurston (2/2)
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 16,678
Referee/s: Shayne Hayne & Ben Cummins

Statistics

Updated: 16 February 2013

NamePTGFGPts
Scott Bolton 0 (14) 1 0 0 4
Matthew Bowen 26 (0) 13 12/14 2 78
Gavin Cooper 26 (0) 10 0 0 40
Kalifa Faifai Loa 6 (0) 2 0 0 8
Ashley Graham 24 (0) 21 0 0 84
Glenn Hall 20 (3) 4 0 0 16
Luke Harlen 0 (0) 0 0 0 0
Sam Hoare 0 (0) 0 0 0 0
Dane Hogan 0 (0) 0 0 0 0
Dallas Johnson 26 (0) 1 0 0 4
Ben Jones 0 (0) 0 0 0 0
Blake Leary 0 (1) 0 0 0 0
Kane Linnett 24 (0) 12 0 0 48
Robert Lui 0 (1) 0 0 0 0
Tyson Martin 0 (0) 0 0 0 0
Anthony Mitchell 1 (6) 1 0 0 4
Michael Morgan 11 (3) 4 0 0 16
Mosese Pangai 1 (0) 0 0 0 0
Corey Paterson 2 (1) 1 0 0 4
Aaron Payne 24 (1) 1 0 0 4
Joel Riethmuller 0 (10) 0 0 0 0
Matthew Scott 18 (0) 1 0 0 4
James Segeyaro 2 (12) 3 0 0 12
Ashton Sims 7 (18) 1 0 0 4
Tariq Sims 5 (1) 1 0 0 4
James Tamou 23 (1) 2 0 0 8
Brent Tate 23 (0) 9 0 0 36
Jason Taumalolo 0 (18) 5 0 0 20
Ray Thompson 16 (2) 5 0 0 20
Ricky Thorby 2 (13) 0 0 0 0
Johnathan Thurston 24 (0) 3 90/109 0 192
Wayne Ulugia 0 (0) 0 0 0 0
Antonio Winterstein 26 (0) 8 0 0 32
Total 338 (104) 110 102/123 2 642

Representative Honours

The following players have played a representative match during the 2012 NRL Season.

NRL All Stars

Indigenous All Stars

Australia

Country Origin

Queensland

New South Wales

References

  1. ↑ Titans punish sloppy Cowboys - ABC Grandstand Sport (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
  2. ↑ Woeful Cowboys thrashed by Titans | NRL, Rugby League, NRL Scores, NRL Ladder | Fox Sports
  3. ↑ Cowboys on lowest rung after horror handling performance against Titans | The Courier-Mail

Coordinates: 19°18′58″S 146°42′43″E / 19.31611°S 146.71194°E