North Queensland kick off NRL season at brand new stadium
North Queensland are planning a $250 million house-warming party against the Broncos to kick off their NRL season, with the club only waiting on Valentine Holmes’ RSVP.
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North Queensland have their eyes firmly set on the Round 1 house-warming of their new $250 million stadium, with club hierarchy yet to rule out a possible Valentine Holmes return in time for the game.
The club has been gifted a “favourable” 2020 season draw as they begin life at the new North Queensland Stadium, which begins with the season-opening Queensland derby against the Broncos.
The Cowboys are looking to turn their new home ground into their very own “fortress”, in similar fashion to what Bankwest Stadium has been to Parramatta this year.
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Players and staff are hoping the new stadium and a freshened up playing roster will help turn their fortunes around following consecutively poor season finishes, in 13th and 14th spot.
As the most-travelled team in the NRL, the Cowboys will next year have their travel distance trimmed back and will only leave Queensland twice in the opening 10 rounds.
They play just four top-eight teams from 2019 in that time – the Broncos (8th), Eels (5th), Storm (1st) and Roosters (2019 premiers).
An Anzac Day bout with the Bulldogs is also scheduled to be played in Townsville on a Saturday night in a nod to the region’s proud military presence.
Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel said it was important for the club to turn their new stadium into a forbidding place for opposition sides.
“2020 is what we are firmly focused on now,” Reibel said.
“There’s no doubt at all that our players and everybody here in North Queensland want to make this a North Queensland Fortress and make our new home something of a difficult place to play.
When people come up here, over the past 10 years, to 1300 Smiles Stadium, we make sure that they’re in for a game of rugby league.
“It’s great that we’ve been able to get the traditional Queensland rivalry to open our new stadium.”
Reibel also stopped short of ruling out having Valentine Holmes in a Cowboys jersey before their Round 1 season-opener.
“Valentine Holmes is a local junior,” he said.
“The North Queensland Cowboys were put into this competition back in 1995 to ensure that our local juniors stay at home.
“Val’s got a contract at the moment for the New York Jets.
“It would be negligent of us not to inquire as to where he is moving forward but he needs to honour his contract, and that’s what we will be doing as well.”
The NRL has also taken into consideration North Queensland’s travelling fan base, scheduling two Friday night and seven Saturday home games.
A Thursday night match-up against Melbourne falls during the Easter school holidays, while a rare Sunday twilight game with the Knights will be played during the July school holidays.
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