The Cowboys were perhaps the most dominant team in the Holden Cup this season and statistically the best attacking side since the competition began in 2008. Finishing second and scoring 923 points (a competition record), North Queensland scored 50+ points on seven occasions, including putting 78 past the Raiders. Of their 19 regular season wins, 13 occurred during a NYC record winning streak. The minor premiership looked all but certain heading into Round 26 but with four key players rested, the Cowboys were defeated by 10 points, having to settle for second spot. As the finals series approached, a Panthers-Cowboys looked inevitable.
Their elimination final win against Brisbane came at a huge cost, with prop Viliame Kikau sustaining an ankle injury and being ruled out for their preliminary final against Manly. Their promising season ended that weekend, with the Sea Eagles upsetting the Cowboys. Despite scoring more tries than their opponents, the Cowboys were unable to show the dominance they displayed during the regular season.
Standout Players
Props Viliame Kikau and Braden Uele were the Cowboys forward leaders in 2015. Kikau averaged 136 metres per game, broke 126 tackles and scored 21 tries, while Uele averaged 142. Halfback Cooper Bambling steered the side around, finishing his season with 26 try assists and 26 line break assists. Coen Hess averaged 95 metres and 28 tackles in his 19 NYC games for 2015.
Top Point and Tryscorer
Gideon Mosby had one of the greatest tryscoring seasons you’ll ever see in 2015 and was the Cowboys top pointscorer in the process, without ever kicking a goal. Of Mosby’s record breaking 39 tries, he scored four tries in a game on four occasions. The fastest player in the Holden Cup, Mosby shattered the record for most tries in a season, which previously stood at 29. The 156 points from his record try haul also made him the Cowboys top pointscorer. Quite an impressive season for the youngster from Darnley Island.
Best Win
Round 21 – defeated Canberra 78-12 at 1300SMILES Stadium.
In a year of massive wins, the 78 points put on the Raiders was perhaps the Cowboys most impressive win. The side ran for over 2000 metres (compared to the Raiders 849) and made 16 line breaks. Mosby scored 4 tries and ran for 249 metres, while rookie Kalyn Ponga ran for 182 metres off the bench, breaking 12 tackles in the process.
Graduates
Chris Grevsmuhl (2010-2013 – 53 games, 31 tries, 124 points)
A regular in junior rep sides, Grevsmuhl joined the Rabbitohs after four years in the Cowboys NYC side. He enjoyed a great rookie year in 2015, playing 22 games and scoring six tries.
Coen Hess (2014-2015 – 35 games, 13 tries, 29 goals, 110 points)
Made his NRL and Intrust Super Cup debuts in 2015, scoring tries in both games. He re-signed with the Cowboys until 2018 and is one of the side’s brightest young juniors.
Felise Kaufusi (2010-2012 – 34 games, 1 try, 4 points)
A member of the Cowboys 2011 Grand Final side, Kaufusi joined the Storm in 2014. He made his NRL debut in Round 1, playing 17 games in 2015.
Patrick Kaufusi (2012-2014 – 48 games, 13 tries, 52 points)
The younger brother of Antonio and Felise, he joined his brothers in first grade when he made his NRL debut in Round 16. He represented Queensland under-20s in 2013.
Player to Watch in 2016
Dubbed “the most talented 15-year old in Australia” two years ago, Kalyn Ponga now might just be the most talented 17-year old in the country. He became the Cowboys starting fullback towards the end of the season, scoring eight tries in eight games and averaging 185 metres per game. In his side’s Round 22 win over the Warriors, Ponga ran for 327 metres and broke 22 tackles. All this after overcoming a life threatening brain infection earlier in the year.
Representative Honours
Conor Carey – Queensland under-20s
Mitchell Dunn – Queensland under-18s
Gideon Mosby – Queensland under-20s (1 try, 4 points)
Coen Hess – Junior Kangaroos, Queensland under-20s
Braden Uele – Junior Kiwis
18TH MAN 