True fans celebrate a fighting season

THE battle- weary Cowboys returned home to a reception usually reserved for grand final winners yesterday.

The Melbourne Storm proved too strong on Sunday night but the fans’ faith did not waver and they turned out in droves at Townsville Airport and Strand Park to cheer their team.

Townsville’s Barb Anderson and Grace Staub made the trip to Sydney for both the 2015 and 2017 grand finals, and said the atmosphere was electric.

“You really feel part of it,” Ms Staub said. “It was a great night, it really was, even though they lost they’ve done us proud.”

Ms Anderson said the hard work of the Cowboys’ support staff was one of the highlights of the night, with hats, flags and other merchandise provided.

“They were absolutely wonderful, they really wanted us to get out there and show our presence,” she said.

Debra Watts and Donna Herlihy, who also travelled from Townsville to Sydney for the game, said the injury to Shaun Fensom early in the game might have thrown the team.

“We felt for him, it’s heartbreaking three minutes in. It's just unlucky,” Ms Herlihy said.

Ms Watts and Ms Herlihy were impressed by the behaviour of the crowd.

“There was lots of camaraderie, even some of the Sydneyites and Storm supporters were really nice,” Ms Watts said.

Young fan Shareefah Akbar, 12, was on hand to welcome the team home after being impressed with their performances in the finals series and the grand final.

“It was a stressful game, but it was still a really good game,” she said.

Picture: EVAN MORGAN TRUE FANS: Bree Reardon, 12, Naseerah Akbar, 7, and Shareefah Akbar, 12, wait for the Cowboys’ return at the airport.

Picture: WESLEY MONTS The huge crowd welcomes the team at Strand Park.

Picture: EVAN MORGAN Debra Watts and Donna Herlihy at the airport.

Picture: WESLEY MONTS Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo.

Picture: WESLEY MONTS Lachlan Coote aboard the open- topped, double- decker bus on the way to Strand Park.