END OF AN ERA FOR COWBOYS Highlights from field of dreams
ON THE eve on the final game at their original home ground, Cowboys players past and present have shared their favourite memories from the stadium.
Laurie Spina was the Cowboys’ inaugural captain and led the team out for their first game in 1995.
The Ingham cane farmer said it was a proud moment to represent his home region in the national competition while he also recalled his son Ben’s first home game in Cowboys colours in 2015.
“My special moment was running out with the team in front of the North Queensland people for the first game,” Spina said.
“They’re really important to the club because they’re not like the Broncos who’ve got so much sponsorship and that … we’re really reliant on supporters.
“Certainly running out for the first game was special for me and of course watching my son run on.
“There’s a nice picture of me and my wife and the three young kids from that first year and to see my son run out on that field. His first game was away, but to come home and play was special.”
Prop forward Matt Scott played 268 games for the Cowboys including captaining the club to the 2015 premiership, but his favourite memory was from a game he watched from the stands.
“I think the first time we beat the Broncos in a final in 2004 was one of my greatest memories at the stadium,” Scott said. “I wasn’t playing, but I remember sitting in the stand for that game after we had played for the Young Guns. Watching that happen, beating the Broncos 10-0, and David Myles scored the only try of the game down the end that I was sitting.
“As someone new to the club and new to the region, to see the atmosphere in that ground and experience that was pretty amazing.”
Former centre and now assistant coach Josh Hannay kicked three goals in that epic semi-final to lead the Cowboys to victory and he described it as the highlight of his playing career.
“Generally up until that time whenever the Broncos came to town they always had a lot of support here. I remember clearly that night just 25,000 people screaming for the Cowboys,” Hannay said.
“And to beat the Broncs for the first time ever in what was a really cracking game of football was probably the icing on the cake.
“I think for a lot of guys who’d been at the club for a while — Paul Bowman comes to mind — that was a really special night during what was a special time for the club making finals for the first time.”
Hooker Jake Granville was part of the 2015 grand final and he looked back fondly on the 18-17 golden-point thriller against the Storm which breathed life into their season after starting with three straight losses.
“Johnno (Thurston) kicked the field goal and we ended up starting a bit of a run from there,” Granville said.
“It was awesome. We were pretty desperate that game and we really needed to get on a bit of a high and get that win.”
Coach Paul Green also played for the Cowboys from 1999-2000 and he said the unwavering community support for the club and the stadium would always stick out in his mind.
“Once the club was allowed in the community got right behind it and got in and actually helped load the turf and do all that sort of stuff,” Green said.
“I think that shows that link to the community. From that point of view I think the ground will hold a special place in everyone’s memories.”
CERTAINLY RUNNING OUT FOR THE FIRST GAME WAS SPECIAL FOR ME AND OF COURSE WATCHING MY SON RUN ON. LAURIE SPINA