North Queensland Cowboys prop Coen Hess reflects on the toughest year of his career

Coen Hess has opened up about the isolation he felt over the past 12 months as he eyes an NRL return more than 500 days in the making. Read why he is ready to repay the faith shown in him by the Cowboys.

Coen Hess sporting a medical singlet alongside Sam McIntyre in November 2024 during North Queensland Cowboys pre-season training at the Townsville Sports Reserve. Picture: Evan Morgan

Cowboys prop Coen Hess says he is ready to repay the faith shown in him by the club as he prepares to return from an ACL injury that kept him sidelined for the past 12 months.

It has been 509 days since Hess last played a match of NRL after the former Queensland Maroons representative went down in a trial against the Raiders with the first major injury of his career.

Hess had missed just 12 games across eight seasons since breaking into the Cowboys side in 2016, playing 162 of a possible 174 matches, and he said it had been a challenging period.

“The boys did a really good job of just getting around me. I love football, I live and breathe being around my mates – that’s the best part of our job,” Hess said.

“It was hard from time to time, you can feel a bit isolated, but the boys did a great job, and the coaching staff as well to take me away to a few games.”

North Queensland Cowboys Coen Hess pictured mid-2024 nursing his ACL injury. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Unable to put weight on his knee, the 28-year-old forward said he had been focusing on breaking Carl Webb’s Cowboys bench press record of 185kg.

“I couldn’t run or anything, so I was trying to break Carl Webb’s record, but he’s still got it,” Hess said.

North Queensland Cowboys pre-season training in November 2024 at the Townsville Sports Reserve. Picture: Evan Morgan

“I got pretty close, but I was trying to put on a bit of weight, and now I’m paying the price for that because I’m out running in the heat, and it’s not going too well.

“But I’ve trimmed back down and that’s out of my mind now, and I can just focus on footy.”

Hess will play in both 2025 trial matches for the Cowboys, and he is expected to start alongside Jamal Shibasaki in the February 14 game against the Dolphins – when North Queensland traditionally deploys its less experienced squad before going into the second trial full-strength.

The 2021 Paul Bowman medallist will exclusively play in the middle of the park this season, barring injury, with Jeremiah Nanai and John Bateman frontrunners to start in the backrow.

“I think I’m solidified as a middle now, I’m not as fast or as agile as I used to be,” Hess said.

Coen Hess of the Cowboys is tackled by Shawn Blore of the Tigers during the round 18 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers at Qld Country Bank Stadium on July 01, 2023 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“But if Toddy (Payten) needs me to go there for whatever reason, whatever is best for the team, I’m happy to do.”

“Obviously with Heilum (Luki) going down, Johnny Bateman has come in and Kai O’Donnell is training the house down as well – they’re having a great battle at the moment for that spot.”

Hess said he was thankful for the Cowboys handing him a three-year extension last year despite not being able to play in the final year of his contract.

“That was my first major injury and I was a bit nervous about that, coming off contract and then doing it in the pre-season,” Hess said.

“The club showed a tremendous amount of faith in me, so now it’s my time to repay them and give back.”

Originally published as North Queensland Cowboys prop Coen Hess reflects on the toughest year of his career