‘Not everyone gets the fairytale ending’: North Queensland Cowboys’ touching tribute to Taunoa-Brown

Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel gave a touching tribute to outgoing player Jamayne Taunoa-Brown after the prop announced his NRL retirement following successive achilles surgeries. Read it here.

NRL 2023 RD10 Sydney Roosters v North Queensland Cowboys – Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Jamayne Taunoa-Brown

North Queensland Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel gave a touching tribute to outgoing player Jamayne Taunoa-Brown after the prop announced his NRL retirement following successive achilles surgeries.

Taunoa-Brown missed the entire 2024 season after a surgery to repair his ruptured achilles failed, meaning the 28-year-old middle forward had to go under the knife again and restart his recovery.

Reibel said Taunoa-Brown would be missed dearly for his contributions both on and off the field.

“It’s sad for any athlete to have to walk away from what they love because of injury,” Reibel said.

“’Mayney’ came over from the Warriors with Toddy (Payten). He played a pivotal part in our club on the field, but also off the field.

“He was much loved by his teammates. He was part of the culture that we’ve created.”

Semi Valemei, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown. Cowboys 2024 Awards Presentation Night. 30/09/2024. Photo: Michael Chambers.

Achilles injuries are notoriously difficult to come back from and Reibel said the Cowboys hoped Taunoa-Brown’s issue would not persist into the four-time Indigenous All Star’s life after footy.

“The resilience that he showed to get through two achilles injuries, it’s been tough on him, and we’ll miss him,” Reibel said.

“He certainly goes with our blessing, back to Melbourne, and on behalf of the club this is the opportunity for me to thank ‘Mayney’ for what he’s done for us, and we do hope that that achilles injury doesn’t hinder him into the future.

“These players are gladiators with what they put their body through. ‘Mayney’ is just a perfect example on how things can happen and how not everyone gets the fairytale ending to their career that they deserve.”

FOUR-TIME ALL STAR ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM NRL

November 21

Four-time Indigenous All Star Jamayne Taunoa-Brown has called time on his NRL days after a horror achilles injury derailed his career.

A week after North Queensland revealed Taunoa-Brown would join the club for pre-season training in a bid to earn a new contract, the Melbourne-born prop announced his intention to retire on Instagram on Wednesday afternoon.

“Ever since I can remember all I ever wanted to be was an NRL player,” Taunoa-Brown wrote.

“A young kid from the Westside of Melbourne who dared to dream. After a wild journey full of highs and lows, many tough times and many great memories. I’m proud to say that young kid was able to live out his dream.

“It’s with much gratitude that I’ve decided to call time on my playing career.

The North Queensland Cowboys train ahead of the NRL Preliminary Final, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“A tough decision and not the way I imagined going out, but it gives me great peace knowing I got to do what so many only ever dream of.”

The former Cowboys enforcer’s first grade career fell apart at the end of the 2023 season when he ruptured his achilles, requiring a second corrective surgery in 2024 when the initial attempt failed.

Jamayne Taunoa-Brown of the Cowboys is tackled during the round nine NRL match between Cronulla Sharks and North Queensland Cowboys at PointsBet Stadium on April 27, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Taunoa-Brown played 33 games for North Queensland, amassing a total of 67 NRL appearances with earlier stints at the Warriors and Dragons.

The 28-year-old middle forward went on to thank his three former clubs and all the players and staff that have helped his journey.

“All my coaches, the staff, volunteers, supporters, my management thank you. To my teammates over the years, thank you for the great memories both on and off the field,” Taunoa-Brown wrote.

“My family and close circle I can’t thank you enough for your love and support through it all.

“Feels crazy closing such a large chapter of my life but I leave with no regrets and excited for what’s next for me. Cheers to the greatest game of all … JTB”

Originally published as ‘Not everyone gets the fairytale ending’: North Queensland Cowboys’ touching tribute to Taunoa-Brown