2008 North Queensland Cowboys season

      The 2008 North Queensland Cowboys season was the 14th season in the club's history. Coached by Graham Murray and captained by Johnathan Thurston, they competed in the National Rugby League's 2008 Telstra Premiership. Part-way through the season, Murray was replaced by Ian Millward, and ultimately the Cowboys finished 15th (out of 16). Aaron Payne was named the club's player of the year.[1]

      Season Ladder

      Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
      1 Melbourne colours.svg Melbourne 24 17 0 7 2 584 282 +302 38
      2 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Manly-Warringah 24 17 0 7 2 645 355 +290 38
      3 Cronulla colours.svg Cronulla 24 17 0 7 2 451 384 +67 38
      4 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney Roosters 24 15 0 9 2 511 446 +65 34
      5 Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane 24 14 1 9 2 560 452 +108 33
      6 Canberra colours.svg Canberra 24 13 0 11 2 640 527 +113 30
      7 St. George Illawarra colours.svg St. George Illawarra 24 13 0 11 2 489 378 +111 30
      8 New Zealand colours.svg New Zealand 24 13 0 11 2 502 567 -65 30
      9 Newcastle colours.svg Newcastle 24 12 0 12 2 516 486 +30 28
      10 Wests Tigers colours.svg Wests Tigers 24 11 0 13 2 528 560 -32 26
      11 Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta 24 11 0 13 2 501 547 -46 26
      12 Panthers colours.svg Penrith 24 10 1 13 2 504 611 -107 25
      13 Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Gold Coast 24 10 0 14 2 476 586 -110 24
      14 South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney 24 8 0 16 2 453 666 -213 20
      15 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland 24 5 0 19 2 474 638 -164 14
      16 Canterbury colours.svg Bulldogs 24 5 0 19 2 433 782 -349 14
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      Casualties

      2008 Injuries

      Player Injury Injured Round Returned
      Ashley Graham Shoulder Round 19 Round 21
      Matthew Bowen Knee Round 3 Round 6
      Anthony Watts Shoulder Round 6 Round 9
      Luke O'Donnell Hip Round 6 Round 9
      Johnathan Thurston Knee Round 18 Round 23
      Shane Tronc Shoulder/Neck Round 5 Round 10
      Travis Burns Shoulder Round 9 Round 11
      Sione Faumuina Hernia Round ? Round 13
      Matthew Scott Ankle Round ? Round 23
      Steve Southern Shoulder Round 12 Round 16
      Anthony Watts Ankle Round 20  ?
      Carl Webb Ankle Round 16 Round 20
      Matthew Bowen Knee Round 8 Round 1, 2009
      Matthew Bartlett Shoulder Round 16 Indefinite
      Justin Smith Shoulder Round 12 Indefinite
      Jacob Lillyman Shoulder Round 15 Out For Season.
      Steve Southern Various Injuries Round 24 Round 26
      ↑Jump back a section

      Suspensions

      2008 Suspensions

      Player Reason Length of suspension Eligible For Comeback
      Ashley Graham Careless high tackle 1 Match Round 4
      Travis Burns ? 1 Match Round 5
      Travis Burns Grade 1 Dangerous Throw
      Grade 2 Careless High Tackle
      4 Matches Round 18
      Jacob Lillyman Grade One Dangerous Throw 2 Matches Round 10
      Luke O'Donnell Contrary Conduct
      2 x Striking
      7 Matches Round 21
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      Player Movement

      Squad changes from 2007 season.

      Gains

      Name From Details
      Travis Burns Manly Sea Eagles 2008–2010
      Ben Harris Bradford Bulls 2008–20091
      Luke Millwood Newtown Jets 2008 - [1]
      Anthony Perkins Melbourne Storm 2008–2009
      Dayne Weston Cronulla Sharks 2008–2009
      John Williams Sydney Roosters 2008–2010

      (1) Harris resigned in May 2008 extending his contract until the end of 2011

      Losses

      Name Club Going To Details
      Brenton Bowen Gold Coast Titans 2008–2009
      Paul Bowman - Retired
      Scott Minto - Retired
      Jason Smith - Retired
      Neil Sweeney Newcastle Knights 2008
      ↑Jump back a section

      Pre Season Trial Matches

      Trial Match
      16 February 2008
      North Queensland Cowboys North Queensland colours.svg 10 - 20 Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane Broncos Brown Park, Rockhampton
      Trial Match
      23 February 2008
      North Queensland Cowboys North Queensland colours.svg 22 - 30 Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Gold Coast Titans Barlow Park, Cairns
      Trial Match
      1 March 2008
      North Queensland Cowboys North Queensland colours.svg 32 - 20 Canberra colours.svg Canberra Raiders Brothers RL Club, Mackay
      ↑Jump back a section

      NRL Season 2008

      Win/Loss For 2008

      R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 R18 R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26
      L L L W W W L L L L B L L L L L B L L L L W L L W L

      Key: W=Win, L=Loss, B=Bye

      Round 1
      14 March 2008
      7.30pm Local
      Gold Coast Titans Gold Coast Titans colours.svg 36 - 18 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Skilled Stadium, Gold Coast
      Attendance: 26,974
      Referee/s: Shayne Hayne
      Tries:
      Atkins (4)
      Bailey (1)
      Laffranchi (1)
      Goals:
      Prince (6/8)
      Report Tries:
      Thurston (2)
      Harris (1)
      Goals:
      Thurston (3/3)
      Round 2
      22 March 2008
      8.30pm Local
      North Queensland North Queensland colours.svg 10 - 30 Wests Tigers colours.svg Wests Tigers Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
      Attendance: 20,665
      Referee/s: Tony De Las Heras
      Tries:
      Graham (1)
      Harris (1)
      Goals:
      Thurston (1/2)
      Report Tries:
      Farah (1)
      Fulton (1)
      Harrison (1)
      Lawrence (1)
      Moltzen (1)
      Goals:
      Hodgson (3/3)
      Lawrence(2/5)
      Round 3
      28 March 2008
      7.30pm Local
      Brisbane Broncos Brisbane colours.svg 36 - 2 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
      Attendance: 50,612
      Referee/s: Ben Cummins
      Tries:
      Boyd (1)
      Hannant (1)
      Marsh (1)
      Michaels (1)
      Robinson (1)
      Ennis (1)
      Goals:
      Wallace (3/4)
      Ennis(3/3)
      Report Goals:
      Thurston (1/1)
      Round 4
      5 April 2008
      8.30pm Local
      North Queensland North Queensland colours.svg 38 - 14 Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta Eels Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
      Attendance: 19,231
      Referee/s: Bernard Sutton
      Tries:
      Webb (1)
      Watts (1)
      Lillyman (1)
      Graham (1)
      Henry (1)
      Smith (1)
      Goals:
      Thurston (7/7)
      Report Tries:
      Finch (1)
      Grothe (1)
      Tautai (1)
      Goals:
      Burt (1/3)
      Round 5
      12 April 2008
      5.30pm Local
      St. George Illawarra Dragons St. George Illawarra colours.svg 16 - 20 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland WIN Stadium, Wollongong
      Attendance: 11,639
      Referee/s: Tony De Las Heras
      Tries:
      Nightingale(1)
      Soward(1)
      Webb (1)
      Goals:
      Soward (2/2)
      Gasnier (0/1)
      Report Tries:
      Thurston (1)
      Smith (1)
      Watts (1)
      Goals:
      Thurston (4/4)
      Round 6
      19 April 2008
      7.30pm Local
      North Queensland North Queensland colours.svg 48 - 20 New Zealand colours.svg New Zealand Warriors Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
      Attendance: 20,554
      Referee/s: Jason Robinson
      Tries:
      Bowen (3)
      Harris (2)
      Southern (1)
      Smith (1)
      J. Williams (1)
      Graham (1)
      Goals:
      Thurston (6/8)
      Graham (0/1)
      Report Tries:
      Mannering (1)
      Henderson (1)
      Ropati (1)
      Goals:
      Witt (4/4)
      Round 7
      26 April 2008
      7.30pm Local
      North Queensland North Queensland colours.svg 10 - 12 Melbourne colours.svg Melbourne Storm Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
      Attendance: 24,053
      Referee/s: Gavin Badger
      Tries:
      J. Williams (1)
      Henry (1)
      Goals:
      Thurston (1/2)
      Report Tries:
      Inglis (1)
      Falou (1)
      Goals:
      Smith (2/2)
      Round 8
      3 May 2008
      3.00pm Local
      South Sydney Rabbitohs South Sydney colours.svg 28 - 24 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland ANZ Stadium, Sydney
      Attendance: 9,818
      Referee/s: Shayne Hayne
      Tries:
      Champion (2)
      Sutton (2)
      Vagana (1)
      Goals:
      Luke (4/5)
      Report Tries:
      Graham (1)
      Webb (1)
      Vaeau (1)
      J. Williams (1)
      Goals:
      Thurston (4/4)
      Round 9
      10 May 2008
      7.30pm Local
      North Queensland North Queensland colours.svg 18 - 24 Cronulla colours.svg Cronulla Sharks Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
      Attendance: 17,061
      Referee/s: Tony Archer
      Tries:
      Henry (1)
      O'Donnell (1)
      Webb (1)
      Goals:
      Thurston (4/4)
      Report Tries:
      Kearney (1)
      Anderson (1)
      Douglas (1)
      Gallen (1)
      Goals:
      Covell (4/5)
      Round 10
      17 May 2008
      7.30pm Local
      Manly Sea Eagles Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg 38 - 6 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Brookvale Oval, Sydney
      Attendance: 9,343
      Referee/s: Ben Cummins
      Tries:
      Cuthbertson (2)
      Williams (1)
      Perry (1)
      Robertson (2)
      Bradley-Qalilawa (1)
      Goals:
      Orford (5/7)
      Report Tries:
      Farrar (1)
      Goals:
      J. Williams (1/1)
      Round 11
      BYE
      North Queensland North Queensland colours.svg ' '
      Round 12
      31 May 2008
      7.30pm Local
      North Queensland North Queensland colours.svg 18 - 19 Penrith colours.svg Penrith Panthers Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
      Attendance: 16,533
      Referee/s: Alan Shortall
      Tries:
      Burns (1)
      Abraham (1)
      Graham (1)
      Goals:
      Thurston (3/4)
      Report Tries:
      Rooney (1)
      Tighe (1)
      Jennings (1)
      Goals:
      Sammut (2/3)
      Field Goals:
      Sammut (1)
      Round 13
      7 June 2008
      7.30pm Local
      Wests Tigers Wests Tigers colours.svg 40 - 16 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney
      Attendance: 10,488
      Referee/s: Gavin Badger
      Tries:
      Collis (1)
      McDonnell (1)
      Head (1)
      Te'o (1)
      Heighington (1)
      Marshall (1)
      Hodgson (1)
      Goals:
      Hodgson (6/7)
      Report Slyney (1)
      T. Williams (1)
      Harris (1)
      Goals:
      J. Williams (2/3)
      Round 14
      16 June 2008
      7.00pm Local
      North Queensland North Queensland colours.svg 18 - 30 Newcastle colours.svg Newcastle Knights Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
      Attendance: 14,234
      Referee/s: Shayne Hayne
      Tries:
      Farrar (2)
      Bartlett (1)
      Goals:
      Thurston (3/4)
      Report Tries:
      Gidley (2)
      Hilder (1)
      Houston (1)
      Mullen (1)
      Goals:
      Gidley (5/6)
      Round 15
      21 June 2008
      7.30pm Local
      Melbourne Storm Melbourne colours.svg 48 - 20 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Olympic Park, Melbourne
      Attendance: 10,880
      Referee/s: Bernard Sutton
      Tries:
      J. Smith (1)
      Slater (1)
      Geyer (1)
      Falou (1)
      Inglis (3)
      Turner (2)
      Goals:
      C. Smith (6/9)
      Report Tries:
      Henry (1)
      J. Williams (1)
      Webb (1)
      Cashmere (1)
      Goals:
      Thurston (2/4)
      Round 16
      28 June 2008
      7.30pm Local
      North Queensland North Queensland colours.svg 28 - 29 South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney Rabbitohs Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
      Attendance: 15,631
      Referee/s: Tony De Las Heras
      Tries:
      Cashmere (1)
      J. Williams (1)
      Graham (2)
      Harris (1)
      Goals:
      J. Williams (4/5)
      Report Tries:
      Asotasi (1)
      Talanoa (1)
      Wing (1)
      Champion (1)
      Capewell (1)
      Goals:
      Luke (4/5)
      Field Goals:
      Sandow (1)
      Round 17
      BYE
      North Queensland North Queensland colours.svg ' '
      Round 18
      12 July 2008
      7.30pm (NZST) - 5.30pm (AEST)
      New Zealand Warriors New Zealand colours.svg 24 - 14 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
      Attendance: 7,722
      Referee/s: Sean Hampstead
      Tries:
      Fai (1)
      Kirk (1)
      Ropati (1)
      Mannering (1)
      Luck (1)
      Goals:
      Hohaia (2/5)
      Report Tries:
      J. Williams (2)
      Graham (1)
      Goals:
      Thurston (1/3)
      Round 19
      18 July 2008
      7.30pm
      North Queensland North Queensland colours.svg 18 - 32 Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane Broncos Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville, Queensland
      Attendance: 22,048
      Referee/s: Ben Cummins
      Tries:
      J. Williams (1)
      Tronc (1)
      Southern (1)
      Goals:
      J. Williams (3/3)
      Report Tries:
      Manihera (1)
      Thaiday (2)
      Kemp (2)
      Boyd (1)
      Goals:
      Ennis (3/6)
      Penalty Goals:
      Ennis (1/1)
      Round 20
      25 July 2008
      7.30pm
      Parramatta Eels Parramatta colours.svg 16 - 4 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta, New South Wales
      Referee/s: Steve Lyons
      Tries:
      Burt (1)
      T. Williams (1)
      Goals:
      Burt (2/2)
      Penalty Goals:
      Burt (2/2)
      Report Tries:
      J. Williams
      Goals:
      J. Williams (0/1)
      Round 21 North Queensland North Queensland colours.svg 20 - 32 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney Roosters Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
      Referee/s: Sean Hampstead
      Tries:
      Weston (1)
      Henry (1)
      O'Donnell (1)
      T. Williams (1)
      Goals:
      J. Williams (2/4)
      Report Tries:
      Pearce (3)
      Aubusson (1)
      Mason (1)
      Roberts (1)
      Goals:
      Fitzgibbon (3/4)
      Roberts (1/2)
      Round 22 Canterbury Bulldogs Canterbury colours.svg 12 - 36 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
      Tries:
      Barba (1)
      Emelio (1)
      Goals:
      El Masri (2/2)
      Report Tries:
      T. Williams (2)
      Webb (1)
      Cashmere (1)
      Faumuina (1)
      Graham (1)
      Burns (1)
      Goals:
      J. Williams (4/7)
      Round 23 North Queensland North Queensland colours.svg 20 - 26 Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Gold Coast Titans Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
      Tries:
      J. Williams (1)
      O'Donnell (1)
      T. Williams (1)
      Weston (1)
      Goals:
      J. Williams (2/4)
      Report Tries:
      Laffranchi (2)
      Rogers (1)
      Campbell (1)
      Tonga
      Goals:
      Prince (3/5)
      Round 24 Newcastle Knights Newcastle colours.svg 38 - 24 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Energy Australia Stadium, Newcastle
      Referee/s: Sean Hampstead
      Tries:
      Buderus (1)
      MacDougall (1)
      Naiqama (1)
      McManus (1)
      Mullen (2)
      Goals:
      Gidley (6/6)
      Penalty Goals:
      Gidley (1/1)
      Report Tries:
      O'Donnell (2)
      T. Williams (1)
      Payne (1)
      Goals:
      J. Williams (4/4)
      Round 25 North Queensland North Queensland colours.svg 22 - 10 Canberra colours.svg Canberra Raiders Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
      Attendance: 14,998
      Referee/s: Matt Cecchin
      Tries:
      Burns (1)
      Harris (1)
      Thurston (1)
      Webb (1)
      Goals:
      J. Williams (3/4)
      Report Tries:
      Kelly (1)
      Purtell (1)
      Goals:
      Monaghan (1/2)
      Round 26 Cronulla Sharks Cronulla colours.svg 28 - 22 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Toyota Park, Woolooware
      Referee/s: Ben Cummins
      Tries:
      Ross (1)
      Kearney (1)
      Snowden (1)
      Seymour (1)
      Seu Seu (1)
      Goals:
      Covell (4/5)
      Report Tries:
      Graham (1)
      Tronc (1)
      Scott (1)
      T. Williams (1)
      Goals:
      Thurston (0/1)
      John Williams (3/3)

      Chronological Order of Events

      Round Details
      Round 1 Week Johnathan Thurston returned ahead of schedule following surgery to his shoulders to play against the Gold Coast Titans. Gold Coast 36 defeat North Queensland 18
      Round 2 Week North Queensland 10 lose to Wests Tigers 30. Ashley Graham is suspended for a carless high tackle.
      Round 3 Week Third consecutive loss. Matt Bowen injured his troublesome knee. He will be out for 2 rounds. Brisbane Broncos 36 defeat North Queensland 2. Travis Burns is suspended for 1 match.
      Round 4 Week Cowboys sign former assistant coach and current Canberra Raiders head coach Neil Henry to coach the team from 2009. Bulldogs star Willie Tonga signs a four-year deal with North Queensland. First win of the season. North Queensland 38 defeat Parramtta 14. Ashley Graham returns from suspension.
      Round 5 Week Cowboys' second win of the season. North Queensland 20 defeat St. George 16
      Round 6 Week Third win in a row. Matt Bowen returns scoring 3 tries. North Queensland 48 defeat. New Zealand Warriors 20. Anthony Watts injures his shoulder and will be out until Round 9. Luke O'Donnell injures his hip and will be out until Round 9.
      Round 7 Week North Queensland 10 lose to Melbourne Storm 12. Jacob Lillyman is suspended for 2 weeks for a Grade One dangerous throw.
      Round 8 Week Matt Bowen re-injures his knee. Cowboys succumb to South Sydney Rabbitohs who win their first match of the year. South Sydney 28 defeat North Queensland 24.
      Round 9 Week Johnathan Thurston and Carl Webb play for the Australian national team in the centenary test against New Zealand. Both players back up to play Cronulla. Travis Burns injures his shoulder and will be out for 2 weeks. Anthony Watts and Luke O'Donnell return from injury. North Queensland 18 lose to Cronulla 24.
      Round 10 Week Johnathan Thurston, Carl Webb and Jacob Lillyman miss the Round 10 clach against Manly because of State of Origin selection. Shane Tronc returns from shoulder injury. Manly 38 defeat North Queensland 6. Coach Graham Murray resigns the very next day.
      Round 11 Week Bye. Ian Millward is appointed head coach. Carl Webb extends his contract with the club. Cowboys' foundation player Paul Bowman is appointed assistant coach.
      Round 12 Week North Queensland lose in extra time to the Penrith Panthers in 18 - 19. Steve Southern and Justin Smith are both injured. Luke O'Donnell is sent off the field and is suspended for 7 weeks for Contrary Conduct and 2 striking charges.
      Round 13 Week Johnathan Thurston is out for the clash against the Wests Tigers due to Origin selection. Sione Faumuina returns after being out due a groin problem. Wests Tigers 40 defeat North Queensland 16. Travis Burns is placed on report and is suspended for 4 matches after being charged with a Grade 1 dangerous throw and a Grade 2 careless high tackle.
      Round 14 Week 7th consecutive loss for the Cowboys. North Queensland 18 - Newcastle 30.
      Round 15 Week 8th consecutive loss. Jacob Lillyman injures his shoulder which will end his season and career with the Cowboys. Matt Bowen is ruled out for the rest of the 2008 season and will undergo knee surgery. Melbourne 48 Cowboys 20.
      Round 16 Week Ray Cashmere is given permission by Cowboys CEO, Peter Parr, to test his worth in the European Super League. Johnathan Thurston is out for the clash against South Sydney due to Origin selection. Brandon Boor made his first grade debut after playing for the Cowboys' Under 20 side. Steve Southern returned after missing three matches due to injury. Sione Faumuina confirmed in an article with the Townsville Bulletin that this year would be his last with the club and it was unlikely Ben Vaeau and veteran Justin Smith would have their contracts renewed. Sam Bowie made his debut for the team following an injury cloud over Chris Sheppard. Carl Webb left the field limping and it was later announced that he had a serious ankle injury. 9th consecutive loss although led 28 - 4 at one stage. North Queensland 28 South Sydney 29.
      Round 17 Week Bye. Cowboys' sign Newtown Jets Five-Eighth, Luke Millwood. [2]. It's confirmed that Carl Webb will be out for 4 – 6 weeks. Peter Parr confirmed that they are in the market for Sika Manu and Manase Manuokafoa. Sam Faust, Mark Henry, Keiron Lander and John Frith are yet to find out if they will be retained by the club. South Sydney Rabbitohs Prop/Second Rower Manase Manuokafoa signs a 3 year deal with the Cowboys. Sione Faumuina is involved in a single vehicle accident near the Lavarack Barracks in Townsville where he rolls his car and escapes unscathed. He left the scene and reported to police 10.5 hours later. [3]
      Round 18 Week After the racial abuse Petero Civoniceva of the Penrith Panthers received against his team's clash against the Parramatta Eels, it is reported that Johnathan Thurston was also the victim of racial abuse from Parramatta supporters two years earlier. [4]. Sione Faumuina avoids being charged by Townsville Police following his car accident, where he left the scene. He has been told he risks being sacked if he doesn't adhere to strict new behaviour guidelines. [5]. Billy Johnstone once again joins the club as the Strength and Conditioning coach from 2009 for 3 years following his release from the Gold Coast Titans. [6]. 10th straight loss equallying worst losing streak of all time. New Zealand 24 Cowboys 14. It was reported the next day that Thurston has been plagued with a Hernia injury which he received in a training session prior to Origin 2. [7]
      Round 19 Week It's reported that Steve Southern is putting off surgery in a bid to break the clubs losing streak. [8]. Luke Harlen has been named in the extended squad for Friday nights game. If he isn't omitted, it will be his debut for the club. Johnathan Thurston is ruled out for 3 to 4 weeks after tearing knee cartilage in the previous round. He is scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday (16/07/08)[9]. Thurston's surgery was a success and he began rehab the next day. 11th consecutive loss which surpasses the 10 game streak recorded in 1999. North Queensland 18 Brisbane 32
      Round 20 Week Ashley Graham, Ben Harris and Anthony Watts are all injured during the Round 19 clash against Brisbane. Clint Amos re-joins the Cowboys on a two-year deal after originally leaving the club for the Gold Coast Titans.Carl Webb is hoping to return from injury for the clash against Parramatta. [10]. Mark Henry re-signs with the club for two more years. [11]. Mitchell Achurch (Wests Tigers) and James Tamou (Roosters) sign two-year deals with the club, starting in 2009. [12]. Anthony Watts has been dropped. Former Cowboy George Gatis has been named on the interchange. Ashley Graham will miss the game due to shoulder injury. Justin Smith reveals that his NRL career is over after failing to overcome a shoulder injury. [13]. Salford City Reds confirm that Ray Cashmere that has signed with the club. [14]. 12th consecutive loss. Parramatta 16 North Queensland 4
      Round 21 Week Luke O'Donnell is scheduled to make his return following a 7 match suspension. Johnathan Thurston, Carl Webb and Luke O'Donnell are selected in the preliminary squad for the Australian World Cup team. Anthony Watts is ruled out due to ankle injury. 19 year old Prop Ron Alovili signs a three-year deal with the cowboys, beginning in 2009. [15]. 13th consecutive loss. North Queensland 20 Sydney Roosters 32.
      Round 22 Week 4th win of the season ending 13 game losing streak. Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 36. Johnathan Thurston and former Cowboy Dale Shearer are named in the Indigenous Team of the Century.
      Round 23 Week Loss. Cowboys 20 Titans 26. Johnathan Thurston makes his return following knee surgery.
      Round 24 Week Cowboys sign Melbourne Storm's Antonio Kaufusi to a three-year deal. Sione Faumuina signs with the Castleford Tigers. New Zealand Warriors Toyota Cup star Steve Rapira, brother of Sam Rapira signs a two-year deal. Loss. Newcastle 38 Cowboys 24
      Round 25 Week Cowboys sign Steve Renouf's nephew Donald Malone. Cowboys beat Canberra 22 - 10. Ray Cashmere makes the most metres of any forward in the season with 207.
      Round 26 Week Mark Henry signs with Salford City Reds. Cowboys lose to Cronulla 28 - 22. Finish 15th for the season.
      ↑Jump back a section

      Statistics

      Updated: 7 September 2008

      Name P T G FG Pts
      Daniel Abraham 5 (1) 1 0 0 4
      Matthew Bartlett 6 (6) 1 0 0 4
      Scott Bolton 4 (2) 0 0 0 0
      Matthew Bowen 6 3 0 0 12
      Sam Bowie 1 (1) 0 0 0 0
      Brandon Boor 2 0 0 0 0
      Travis Burns 14 (2) 3 0 0 12
      Greg Byrnes 3 (3) 0 0 0 0
      Ray Cashmere 24 (6) 3 0 0 12
      David Faiumu 4 (4) 0 0 0 0
      Ben Farrar 16 (7) 3 0 0 12
      Sione Faumuina 15 (2) 1 0 0 4
      Sam Faust 11 (8) 0 0 0 0
      George Gatis 1 0 0 0 0
      Obe Geia 2 0 0 0 0
      Ashley Graham 22 10 0/1 0 40
      Luke Harlen 5 (5) 0 0 0 0
      Ben Harris 24 7 0 0 28
      Mark Henry 23 5 0 0 20
      Jacob Lillyman 11 (3) 1 0 0 4
      Jackson Nicolau 1 0 0 0 0
      Luke O'Donnell 15 5 0 0 20
      Aaron Payne 24 1 0 0 4
      Matthew Scott 5 (4) 1 0 0 4
      Chris Sheppard 1 0 0 0 0
      Nick Slyney 3 (2) 1 0 0 4
      Justin Smith 11 (1) 3 0 0 12
      Steve Southern 18 2 0 0 8
      Johnathan Thurston 17 3 40/50 0 94
      Shane Tronc 17 (8) 2 0 0 8
      Ben Vaeau 11 (8) 1 0 0 4
      Anthony Watts 12 (6) 2 0 0 8
      Carl Webb 21 (1) 6 0 0 24
      Dayne Weston 19 (12) 2 0 0 8
      John Williams 20 10 28/38 0 96
      Ty Williams 13 7 0 0 28
      82 68/79 0 470
      • Appearances in brackets () denote games off interchange/repl bench
      • Key: P = Played, T = Tries, G = Goals, FG = Field Goals, Pts = Points
      ↑Jump back a section

      Season Records

      Updated: 7 September 2008

      Title Top 3 Amount
      Most Points John Williams
      Johnathan Thurston
      Ashley Graham
      96
      94
      40
      Most Tries John Williams
      Ashley Graham
      Ben Harris
      Ty Williams
      Carl Webb
      10
      10
      7
      7
      6
      Most Appearances Ray Cashmere
      Aaron Payne
      Ben Harris
      24
      24
      24
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      References

      1. ^ Honours at cowboys.com.au
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      Last modified on 6 April 2013, at 16:34