STILL FORTUNATE

Q Things didn’t go your way in 2005. How do you look back on your own grand final experience? A Playing rugby league that’s one of the things you want to do, to win a grand final. A premiership would have been nice, but I played the sport that I love for 13 years at the Cowboys and overseas for two years, played in three grand finals – two in England – and I didn’t get the chocolates there either but made a lot of good friends along the way and I wouldn’t change anything. Q What were your emotions when the Cowboys won their first title in 2015? A I was happy and sad at the same time. I kept thinking ‘I wish I was there’ but in saying that we tried all those years to win one and made the semi-finals and got close, but it was great to see them do it for themselves and the club and North Queensland. Q North Queensland seems to have the most passionate fans. Why do you think that is? A They are pretty passionate and you can see them at the airport and even the Sydney crowd, the Southern Stampede is growing every year and it’s good to see the Cowboys growing there. I’m not sure if they’re from here and moved down or Sydney people and it’s good to see for not only the Cowboys, but it’s good to see for rugby league.