DERBY DISGRACE Thursday game slap in the face for Cowboys’ far- flung fans

NORTH Queensland Cowboys officials are fuming after the NRL scheduled its traditional derby blockbuster against the Brisbane Broncos on a Thursday night.

The Cowboys will host the Broncos on Thursday, August 31, at 1300SMILES Stadium in their final game of the regular season.

Cowboys CEO Greg Tonner expressed his disappointment with the Thursday kickoff, with many regional fans unable to make their usual trip for the weeknight game.

The Cowboys are also expected to experience a significant drop in gate takings, with the annual blockbuster the club’s biggest home drawcard.

The city’s economy is also likely to suffer.

The derby, which has had average crowds of more than 24,000 spectators, has never been held in Townsville during the week, with the past 11 clashes held on Friday night.

Before that, all Cowboys versus Broncos games at 1300SMILES Stadium had been played on Saturday.

“It’s made it hard for our members who have to travel to the game on a Thursday night,” Tonner said.

“About 20 to 30 per cent of them travel more than 100km to our games, and they’re such an important part of our club.

“The scheduling provides a good stretch before finals so it does benefit the football side, but commercially and for our members it is difficult.”

The NRL yesterday released its draw for Rounds 21- 26, which features three home games for the Cowboys, including the Round 26 derby against the Broncos.

In Round 21, the Cowboys play the Roosters in Sydney, followed by a Friday night home clash with the Storm.

The Cowboys return to Sydney in Round 23 to play against the Panthers, and then host NRL premiers Cronulla at 1300SMILES Stadium before another Friday night game against the Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.

The regular season then ends with the Queensland derby, which has been decided by a field goal in four of the past five clashes.

Tonner said he was hopeful the community would rally behind its team come the Thursday night derby.

“It’s important we find a way to fill the stadium,” he said. “We have to make the most of the home ground.

“It’s disappointing but it’s our only Thursday night game of the year, so we’ve got to take this … and make sure we support our team.”

Cowboys coach Paul Green last year expressed his disappointment with the club’s major home drawcard being scheduled at season’s end and on the eve of finals.

“It is such a big game for the club and from a footy point of view, when you play them during the mid- part of the year it generates a bit of interest for everyone,” Green said at the time.

“The finals series gets own momentum as it is.

“We don’t really need a blockbuster like that heading into the finals.” its