The 2016 North Queensland Cowboys season was the 22nd in the club's history and their first as defending premiers. Coached by Paul Green and co-captained by Johnathan Thurston and Matthew Scott, they competed in the NRL's 2016 Telstra Premiership. In the pre-season the Cowboys competed in the 2016 Auckland Nines tournament, reaching the quarter-finals. The team finished the regular season in 4th, losing in the preliminary final to the eventual premiers, the Cronulla Sharks.
Round 1: Johnathan Thurston scored his 1,800th point in the NRL.Round 3: Lachlan Coote scored his 50th try in the NRL.Round 5: Javid Bowen made his NRL debut.Round 5: James Tamou played his 150th game for the club.Round 5: Javid Bowen scored his first NRL try.Round 7: Justin O'Neill played his 100th NRL game.Round 7: Johnathan Thurston scored his 1,000th point at 1300SMILES Stadium.Round 9: Kane Linnett scored his 50th NRL try.Round 10: Ethan Lowe played his 50th game for the club.Round 11: Johnathan Thurston played his 250th game for the club.Round 12: Jahrome Hughes made his debut for the club.Round 12: Jahrome Hughes scored his first NRL try.Round 13: Ray Thompson played his 100th NRL game for the club.Round 13: Gavin Cooper scored his 50th try for the club.Round 14: Jason Taumalolo played his 100th game for the club.Round 17: Gavin Cooper played his 150th game for the club.Round 18: Josh Chudleigh made his NRL debut.Round 18: Josh Chudleigh scored his first NRL try.Finals Week 2: Kalyn Ponga made his NRL debut.Finals Week 2: Michael Morgan played his 100th NRL game for the club.1 Parramatta were deducted 12 competition points and their for/against tally accumulated between rounds 1-9 for gross long-term salary cap breaches.
NRL Auckland Nines
The NRL Auckland Nines is a pre-season rugby league nines competition featuring all 16 NRL clubs. The Cowboys, whose side featured a returning Matthew Bowen, finished first in their pool before being eliminated by the Melbourne Storm in the quarter finals.
The following players have played a representative match in 2016.
Dally M Medal: Jason TaumaloloDally M Lock of the Year: Jason TaumaloloRLPA Player of the Year: Jason TaumaloloNYC Team of the Year: Gideon Gela-Mosby, Kalyn Ponga, Brandon SmithPaul Bowman Medal: Jason TaumaloloPlayers' Player: Jason TaumaloloMember's Player of the Year: Jason TaumaloloClub Person of the Year: John AsiataMost Improved: Ethan LoweRookie of the Year: Javid BowenNYC Player of the Year: Brandon SmithTownsville Bulletins' Fan Choice Award: Michael Morgan North Queensland Cowboys - 2nd, lost preliminary finalQueensland Cup
Mackay Cutters - 14th, missed finals Northern Pride - 8th, missed finals Townsville Blackhawks - 3rd, lost semi final 