Old North Queensland Cowboys guard gathers for Graham Murray tribute
THE legend of Graham Murray lives on at the Cowboys with the club honouring the former coach’s history-making squad on Thursday.
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THE legend of Graham Murray lives on at the Cowboys with the club honouring the former coach’s history-making squad at Thursday’s annual Broncos derby dinner.
Murray’s class of 2004 became the first Cowboys team to qualify for the playoffs, highlighted by their drama-charged 10-0 semi-final defeat of Brisbane in Townsville.
Murray passed away last July aged 58, but his feats will be celebrated tonight when members of the 2004 squad gather to be formally honoured by the Cowboys.
Former prop Paul Rauhihi has travelled from New Zealand to attend. Travis Norton, the 2004 skipper, will be present, as will former stars Matt Sing, Josh Hannant, Ty Williams, Luke O'Donnell, Rod Jensen, Aaron Payne and Paul Bowman.
Murray’s men fell one game short of the 2004 grand final, losing 19-16 to the Roosters, in a season that saw the Cowboys finally emerge as a finals force.
“The 2004 squad are fondly remembered at our club,’’ said Cowboys football manager Peter Parr.
“What that group of players did was sensational. The Cowboys had traditionally struggled, but what they achieved in 2004 and then in 2005, when we made the grand final, was great for the region.
“They are a special group, so having them here for a derby dinner will be great.’’
Parr said Murray’s contribution to the club would not be forgotten at the gala event in Townsville.
“No one here will ever forget what ‘Muz’ did for this club,’’ he said.
“I’m sure Muz will be in our thoughts at the dinner and his name will come up countless times.
“Gorden Tallis will also be at the dinner – the night we beat the Broncos in that finals game was his last ever game for Brisbane.
“It’s a challenge to get former players back here because of the tyranny of distance in north Queensland, but they really put the club on the map with that final series.’’
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