The 2003 North Queensland Cowboys season was the 9th in the club's history. Coached by Graham Murray and captained by Paul Bowman, they competed in the NRL's 2003 Telstra Premiership. Although the club once again finished 11th, they recorded their highest number of wins (10) and competition points (24) in a season.Honours at cowboys.com.au
Season summary The rebuild continued for the Cowboys heading into the 2003 season, with 12 players leaving the club. Their key signings included premiership-winning back rower Kevin Campion, New Zealand international prop Paul Rauhihi and journeyman utility David Myles. All three would eventually help the club to their first finals appearance a year later.
Following a solid end to the 2002 season, the new year started brightly for the club, as they won six games from the first 12 rounds to sit inside the Top 8. They picked up three straights win from Rounds 10-12, their first three-game winning streak since 1998. A mid-season slump would soon follow, with eight losses from their next nine fixtures.
The season ended strongly once again, with three wins from their final four games to secure a second consecutive 11th place finish, four competition points outside the Top 8. During the season Matt Sing became the first Cowboy to represent Australia, when selected for their July Test match against New Zealand.
Milestones Round 1: Kevin Campion, Paul McNicholas, David Myles and Paul Rauhihi made their debuts for the club. Round 2: Brenton Bowen made his NRL debut. Round 6: Neil Sweeney made his debut for the club. Round 13: Jason Barsley made his NRL debut. Round 13: John Buttigieg played his 100th game for the club. Round 14: Matthew Bowen played his 50th game for the club. Round 15: Aaron Morgan made his NRL debut. Round 18: Daniel Sorbello made his NRL debut. Round 19: Micheal Luck played his 50th game for the club. Round 22: Jacob Lillyman made his NRL debut. Round 22: Daniel Strickland played his 50th game for the club. Round 23: Shane Muspratt played his 50th game for the club.
Squad List
Squad Movement
2003 Gains Player Signed from Jason Barsley Central Comets Dane Campbell Redcliffe Dolphins Kevin Campion Warriors Luke Cross Queensland Reds Paul McNicholas South Sydney Rabbitohs Michael Meigan Canterbury Bulldogs Aaron Morgan Wests Panthers David Myles Warriors Paul Rauhihi Canterbury Bulldogs Neil Sweeney Newcastle Knights
2003 Losses Player Signed from Ashley Alberts Brisbane Broncos Tevita Amone Released Tarin Bradford Retired Tim Brasher Retired John Doyle Central Comets Peter Jones Retired Tim Maddison Pia Donkeys John Manning Melbourne Storm Ken McGuinness Retired Justin McKay Wests Tigers Grant Rovelli Sydney Roosters Shaun Valentine Retired
Ladder
Fixtures
Regular season
Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals Attendance15 MarchRound 1 Canberra RaidersDairy Farmers Stadium14 – 46 Sing (2), Hannay Hannay (1/3) 15,42122 MarchRound 2 Manly Sea EaglesDairy Farmers Stadium30 – 20 Lowe (2), McNicholas, Sing Hannay (7/8) 10,93731 MarchRound 3 South Sydney RabbitohsAussie Stadium27 – 20 B. Bowen, Muckert, Sheppard Hannay (7/8), Sheppard (1 FG) 9,4225 AprilRound 4 Brisbane BroncosDairy Farmers Stadium24 – 32 B. Bowen, Morrison, Myles, McWilliams Hannay (4/4), B. Bowen (0/1) 25,24212 AprilRound 5 Sydney RoostersDairy Farmers Stadium0 – 32 12,08921 AprilRound 6 WarriorsEricsson Stadium24 – 30 Sing (2), Hannay, McWilliams Hannay (4/4) 19,72226 AprilRound 7 Melbourne StormDairy Farmers Stadium32 – 12 Sing (3), Hannay, Williams Hannay (6/6) 12,023Round 8Bye11 MayRound 9 Brisbane BroncosANZ Stadium12 – 38 M. Bowen, Myles Hannay (2/2) 13,19717 MayRound 10 Wests TigersDairy Farmers Stadium26 – 8 Sing (2), Luck, Muspratt Hannay (5/6) 10,78324 MayRound 11 Manly Sea EaglesBrookvale Oval31 – 20 Sing (2), Hannay, Morrison, Myles Hannay (5/6), Morrison (0/1), Sheppard (1 FG) 7,0281 JuneRound 12 St George Illawarra DragonsOki Jubilee Stadium36 – 16 Sing (2), Bowman, Morrison, Sheppard, Williams Hannay (6/7) 13,5177 JuneRound 13 Penrith PanthersDairy Farmers Stadium24 – 28 Barsley, Hannay, Myles, Williams Hannay (4/5) 17,01215 JuneRound 14 Sydney RoostersAussie Stadium14 – 15 Morrison, Myles Hannay (3/4) 9,12321 JuneRound 15 Parramatta EelsParramatta Stadium22 – 24 Morgan, Morrison, Myles, Sweeney Hannay (3/5) 9,02728 JuneRound 16 Cronulla SharksDairy Farmers Stadium28 – 34 Williams (2), M. Bowen, Morrison Hannay (6/7) 13,5985 JulyRound 17 WarriorsDairy Farmers Stadium30 – 10 Hannay, Morrison, Sing, Williams Hannay (7/9) 16,02812 JulyRound 18 Melbourne StormOlympic Park16 – 22 Dezolt, Morgan, Myles Morrison (2/4) 7,64319 JulyRound 19 St George Illawarra DragonsDairy Farmers Stadium16 – 38 M. Bowen, Bowman, Sing Morrison (2/3), Hannay (0/1) 16,54227 JulyRound 20 Canterbury BulldogsSydney Showground22 – 42 Hannay, Myles, McDonald, Sing Hannay (3/5) 7,091Round 21Bye9 AugustRound 22 Newcastle KnightsDairy Farmers Stadium24 – 60 M. Bowen, Muckert, Rauhihi, Williams Hannay (4/4) 15,07216 AugustRound 23 Canberra RaidersCanberra Stadium34 – 28 B. Bowen, Bowman, Hannay, Myles, Payne, Williams Hannay (5/7) 8,07423 AugustRound 24 South Sydney RabbitohsDairy Farmers Stadium60 – 8 M. Bowen (3), Hannay, Muckert, Myles, Payne, Rauhihi, Sing, Williams Hannay (10/12) 13,87231 AugustRound 25 Wests TigersCampbelltown Stadium34 – 14 Williams (3), Sing (2), Hannay, Muckert Hannay (3/6), M. Bowen (0/1) 6,1587 SeptemberRound 26 Newcastle KnightsEnergyAustralia Stadium26 – 34 M. Bowen, Myles, Sing M. Bowen (5/7) 18,244 Legend:
Statistics NameAppTGFGPts31--463--122095-46163--128----24----91--42----1----231095-2303----242--8221--4111--471--4142--822--82274-36234--16211--42411--4442--8222-2102021--841----17----71--46----1----2----2212--48 Totals 99 104 2 606 Source:
Representatives The following players played a representative match in 2003.
City vs Country State of Origin 1 State of Origin 2 State of Origin 3 July Test October Test Ashes SeriesMatthew Bowen Paul Bowman Josh Hannay Glenn Morrison Paul Rauhihi Matt Sing
Honours
Club Player of the Year: Paul Rauhihi Players' Player: Matt Sing Club Person of the Year: Ty Williams
Feeder Clubs
Queensland Cup North Queensland Young Guns - 7th, missed finals
References