“When I am in North Queensland, I feel at home.””
Jonathan Thurston, the greatest player of all time, is honored with a statue that greets spectators with pride in front of Queensland Country Bank Stadium. The statue captures the moment that sent Thurston into legend and helped the Cowboys win their first-ever premiership. Beautifully bronzed, our most valued Cowboy now serves as a permanent reminder of the time when the Cowboys and their supporters achieved everything they could have ever hoped.
JT could only have dreamed how amazing a new stadium for the people of North Queensland would be when he stood at the microphone following the Brisbane Broncos’ thrilling and magnificent NRL Grand Final victory in 2015 and requested that the people of that region have a new one.
He had no idea that five years later, not only would his remark have come true, but that round one of the 2020 NRL season would see more than 22,000 fervent supporters pour through the gates.
The Thursday before the game I flew to Townsville and a few days later I had tickets back to Sydney. I wanted to experience Townsville’s vibrant atmosphere and the far north in the same way that the natives do, during my brief visit. Prior to Townsville’s first round, there were rumors of severe weather, including a cyclone, but as luck would have it, there were clear skies all around.
The moment I got off the plane, I saw Cowboys jerseys all over the place. I adore how this area supports this squad. From my residence in Sydney, which is more than 2000 kilometers away, I am always aware that the Cowboys community is still strong. Since I am always the odd one out at home, it is also nice to fit in when wearing Cowboys apparel. In Townsville, I’m just another ardent supporter.
When I arrive at the airport, the first thing I notice is that Michael Morgan, Jason Taumalolo, and Jordan McLean are the three new faces on the sign welcoming me to “Cowboy Country.” Now that the guard has changed, JT and Matt Scott go to make way for a new chapter in history.
I was waiting nervously for news on whether or not round one of the NRL would even proceed on Friday, the 13th, as I sat at The Strand and gazed out at the beautiful tranquility of the waters around Magnetic Island. The first round had been the subject of so much anticipation. It had felt like an extended offseason, as usual, and everyone who follows the Cowboys was particularly eager to christen our new house. In the afternoon, word leaked out that the game would go ahead in spite of the coronavirus outbreak.
Dairy Farmers Stadium holds a lot of special memories for me. She had graciously welcomed us inside those walls for 24 years, and there was just such a wonderful vibe there. It is home to a wealth of history and notable Cowboys who have left their mark.
As soon as I entered Queensland Country Bank Stadium, I understood that the goal was to create new memories rather than hold onto the ones from the past. Although the memories from the past are irreplaceable, they are carried on by the players and the supporters who will always share their tales. Without a doubt, the North Queensland Cowboys are maturing at their new stadium.
We’ve been in the competition for 25 years, and we now have a home field that other teams should be jealous of. I was overwhelmed with excitement and nostalgia at the same time as I surveyed our new home field and appreciated its breathtaking beauty.
The folks inside these new barriers are still the same; I could feel their love and passion for the Cowboys as they united and waved their flags. Amazingly, we were all feeling it. It was amazing to watch the thousands and thousands of fans go across the bridge. Our army was raising, and for many years to come, they will raise their banner for each home game.
