North Queensland have Brisbane’s number, says foundation chief executive Kerry Boustead

KERRY Boustead says the Cowboys have the measure of the Broncos and respects the Roosters most as a barrier to their maiden premiership.

Cowbooys V Cronulla Sharks at 1300 Smiles Stadium Townsville. Cowboys Captain Johnathan Thurston

FOUNDATION Cowboys chief executive Kerry Boustead says North Queensland have the measure of the Broncos and he respects the Roosters most as a barrier to their maiden premiership.

It is 20 years since Boustead and other Cowboys founders set up the club, recruiting players and developing facilities enabling them to compete in a national competition in 1995.

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Boustead said he was proud of the club’s progress and admits he did not expect such a good season from the fifth-placed Cowboys, who are preparing for their sudden-death home final against Brisbane on Saturday night.

Tariq Sims of the Cowboys celebrates.

“The last two years, they went well in the finals. They are as good a chance as ever,’’ said Boustead, also one of the greatest footballers the region has developed.

“The Roosters will be the side to beat. The Cowboys and the Roosters are the two sides that can match it up.

“I thought they might wane a little this year because while their forward pack is still very good, I thought they would miss Matt Bowen in particular and then Brent Tate.

“But the young players (Michael) Morgan and Kyle Feldt have stepped up.’’

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North Queensland lost only one game in the last eight rounds and Boustead is confident they will beat Brisbane for the second time in three meetings this year.

“The Cowboys have been doing those full sets of six, full sets of six and it builds pressure on the other team,’’ he said.

Kerry Boustead sitting in the stands with Norm Provan and Tony Durkin.

“They start doing chancey things they wouldn’t normally do to try to compensate. It causes errors and the Cowboys capitalise.

“I don’t think there’s a problem with Brisbane. I go to the Broncos-Cowboys games in Brisbane every year and they win two thirds of them. They seem to have Brisbane’s measure, but they’ve lost games they shouldn’t have lost. It can happen.

“I’d have to say the last three or four years, the Cowboys has been the No.1 Queensland footy team. In terms of results, they have done really well.’’

After a dismal eight-match losing streak away this season, North Queensland have since won three of their past four away from Townsville, accounting for Cronulla, Canterbury and Souths and taking a one-point loss at Penrith.

Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston celebrates a win.

“The biggest improvement has been their ability to win away from home. It’s been their problem for many years,’’ said the former Test winger.

“When we started the Cowboys, we always thought we’d have an advantage at home with the heat and the travel.

“I’m very proud of the Cowboys. The reason we started the Cowboys was so north Queenslanders didn’t have to go to the big smoke to play at the top level. I didn’t expect we’d be competing this well.

“We won’t say much about refereeing the past two years. It’s been outrageous, but enough has been said. The Cowboys know if they play like they did (against Manly), referees can’t take them out of the game.’’

Boustead said it was a privilege for the Cowboys outside backs to play outside Johnathan Thurston.

“He’s worth at least one try a match to the left winger at any level with that pass to the left, he’s an absolute genius at it,’’ he said.