The 2021 North Queensland Cowboys season was the 27th in the club's history. Coached by Todd Payten and captained by Jason Taumalolo, they competed in the NRL's 2021 Telstra Premiership.
The 2021 season was the Cowboys' first under Payten, who joined the club from the New Zealand Warriors on a three-year deal. He became the club's eighth full-time head coach and their 10th overall. On 16 December 2020, Taumalolo was named as co-captain of the club alongside Morgan.
The club endured another disappointing season in 2021, missing the finals for the fourth consecutive year.
Season summary On 9 April, co-captain Michael Morgan announced his immediate retirement from rugby league due to an ongoing shoulder injury.
Milestones Round 1: Corey Jensen played his 50th NRL game for the club. Round 2: Lachlan Burr made his debut for the club. Round 4: Coen Hess played his 100th NRL game for the club. Round 5: Ben Condon scored his first NRL try. Round 5: Lachlan Burr scored his first try for the club. Round 5: The club won at Leichhardt Oval for the first time since Round 12, 2000. Round 7: Jake Granville played his 150th NRL game. Round 10: Jason Taumalolo played his 200th game for the club. Round 11: Heilum Luki made his NRL debut. Round 11: Heilum Luki scored his first NRL try. Round 11: Valentine Holmes scored his 500th career point. Round 14: Tom Dearden made his debut for the club. Round 15: Tom Dearden scored his first try for the club. Round 19: Kane Bradley made his NRL debut. Round 19: Kane Bradley scored his first try for the club. Round 19: Kyle Feldt scored his 100th try for the club. Round 22: Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame made their NRL debuts. Round 22: Jeremiah Nanai scored his first NRL try. Round 23: Laitia Moceidreke made his NRL debut. Round 23: Laitia Moceidreke scored his first NRL try. Round 24: Scott Drinkwater played his 50th NRL game. Round 25: Scott Drinkwater played his 50th game for the club.
Squad
Squad movement
Gains Player Signed From Until End of NotesJavid Bowen Northern PrideKane Bradley Wests TigersLachlan Burr New Zealand WarriorsTom Dearden Brisbane Broncos (mid-season)Laitia Moceidreke Canterbury Bulldogs (mid-season)
Losses Player Signed To Until End of NotesJohn Asiata Brisbane BroncosMichael Bell Townsville Blackhawks (mid-season)Jake Clifford Newcastle Knights (mid-season)Gavin CooperRetiredWiremu Greig Parramatta Eels (mid-season)Esan Marsters Gold Coast Titans (mid-season)Josh McGuire St George Illawarra Dragons (mid-season)Michael MorganRetired (mid-season)Justin O'NeillRetired (mid-season)Tom Opacic Parramatta EelsDan Russell Brisbane TigersTukimihia Simpkins Wests TigersGarrett Smith Newcastle Knights
Re-signings Player Club Until End of NotesJavid Bowen North Queensland CowboysBen Condon North Queensland CowboysScott Drinkwater North Queensland CowboysJake Granville North Queensland CowboysBen Hampton North Queensland CowboysGriffin Neame North Queensland CowboysRiley Price North Queensland Cowboys
Ladder
Fixtures
Pre-season On 13 February, the Cowboys played the Townsville Blackhawks in an unofficial hour-long scrimmage match in Ayr.
Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals AttendanceSaturday, 27 FebruaryTrial 1 Brisbane BroncosMoreton Daily Stadium34 – 18Drinkwater, Dunn, Feldt, Holmes, Marsters, Tabuai-FidowClifford (3/4), Holmes (2/2) Legend:
Regular season
Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals AttendanceSaturday, 13 MarchRound 1 Penrith PanthersPanthers Stadium0 – 24 14,077Saturday, 20 MarchRound 2 St George Illawarra DragonsQueensland Country Bank Stadium18 – 25Granville, Hess, HolmesHolmes (3/3) 15,120Sunday, 28 MarchRound 3 Gold Coast TitansQueensland Country Bank Stadium8 – 44Tabuai-Fidow, TaulagiHolmes (0/2) 12,621Saturday, 3 AprilRound 4 Cronulla SharksNetstrata Jubilee Stadium10 – 48Holmes, Tabuai-FidowHolmes (1/2) 5,119Sunday, 11 AprilRound 5 Wests TigersLeichhardt Oval34 – 30Taulagi (2), Burr, Condon, Drinkwater, Tabuai-FidowHolmes (5/6)9,433Sunday, 18 AprilRound 6 Canterbury BulldogsQueensland Country Bank Stadium30 – 18Condon, Dunn, Feldt, Granville, RobsonHolmes (5/5)11,965Saturday, 24 AprilRound 7 Canberra RaidersQueensland Country Bank Stadium26 – 24Condon, Feldt, O'Neill, Robson Holmes (5/5)13,791Sunday, 2 MayRound 8 WarriorsCentral Coast Stadium20 – 24Taulagi (2), Drinkwater, RobsonHolmes (2/4)3,692Saturday, 8 MayRound 9 Brisbane BroncosQueensland Country Bank Stadium19 – 18Feldt, Lemuelu, TaumaloloHolmes (3/4, 1 FG) 22,222Saturday, 15 MayRound 10 Sydney RoostersSuncorp Stadium16 – 30Drinkwater (2), BowenHolmes (2/4)45,122Thursday, 20 MayRound 11 Newcastle KnightsQueensland Country Bank Stadium36 – 20Taulagi (3), Dunn, Holmes, Luki, RobsonHolmes (4/7) 11,208Friday, 28 MayRound 12 WarriorsQueensland Country Bank Stadium29 – 28Clifford, Drinkwater, Feldt, Tabuai-Fidow, TaulagiHolmes (4/5, 1 FG) 14,951Round 13ByeFriday, 11 JuneRound 14 Manly Sea Eagles4 Pines Park18 – 50Bowen, Tabuai-Fidow, Taulagi Holmes (3/3) 6,801Friday, 18 JuneRound 15 Cronulla SharksQueensland Country Bank Stadium24 – 26Feldt (2), Dearden, MoloHolmes (4/4) 13,926Saturday, 3 JulyRound 16 Newcastle KnightsMcDonald Jones Stadium0 – 38 7,610 Friday, 9 JulyRound 17 South Sydney RabbitohsMcDonald Jones Stadium 18 - 46Dearden, Wright, Feldt Drinkwater (3/4)3,127Saturday, 17 JulyRound 18 Sydney RoostersQueensland Country Bank Stadium 18 - 34Bowen, Tabuai-Fidow, Robson Drinkwater (3/3)15,933Friday, 23 JulyRound 19 Melbourne StormQueensland Country Bank Stadium16 – 20Bradley, Feldt, HessDrinkwater (2/3)14,924Friday, 30 JulyRound 20 Brisbane BroncosSuncorp Stadium18 – 37Dearden, Feldt, GranvilleDrinkwater (3/4)29,136Sunday, 8 AugustRound 21 Gold Coast TitansCbus Super Stadium14 – 36Dearden, Feldt, HolmesHolmes (1/3)0Game played behind closed doors Saturday, 14 AugustRound 22 Wests TigersQueensland Country Bank Stadium16 – 24Dearden, Hampton, NanaiHolmes (2/4)12,663Saturday, 21 AugustRound 23 Parramatta EelsCbus Super Stadium16 – 32Granville, Luki, MoceidrekeHolmes (2/3)3,013Saturday, 28 AugustRound 24 St George Illawarra DragonsBrowne Park38 – 26Feldt (2), Dearden, Hampton, Luki, Robson, Tabuai-FidowHolmes (5/7)4,487Sunday, 4 SeptemberRound 25 Manly Sea EaglesQueensland Country Bank Stadium18 – 46Condon, McLean, Tabuai-FidowHolmes (3/3)14,336 Legend:
Statistics NameAppTGFGPts5----93--1221--4151--471--4114--166----126--2424511-42202--82012--4811----244--16102--8222--83----2045421269----131--4113--123----4----241--411--4191--42----41--43----51--4246--24148--322010--40151--4161--4 Totals 82 65 2 460
Representatives The following players have played a representative match in 2021.
All Stars match State of Origin 1 State of Origin 2 State of Origin 3Daejarn Asi Reuben Cotter Kyle Feldt Wiremu Greig Valentine Holmes Esan Marsters Francis Molo Emry Pere Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Honours
Club Paul Bowman Medal: Coen Hess Players' Player: Murray Taulagi The Cowboys Way Award: Jake Granville Member's Player of the Year: Jake Granville Club Person of the Year: Ben Hampton Rookie of the Year: Heilum Luki
Feeder Clubs
Queensland Cup Mackay Cutters - 12th, missed finals Northern Pride - 9th, missed finals Townsville Blackhawks - 7th, lost elimination final
Women's team
QRL Women's Premiership North Queensland Gold Stars - 3rd, lost semi final
References