20 Years On: Cowboys’ Bronco-busters reflect on epic 2004 semi
On this day, 20 years ago, the North Queensland Cowboys came of age by conquering the Broncos for the first time. Hear from the legends who made history as we flash back to 2004.
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Two of North Queensland’s greatest rugby league legends have predicted the Cowboys can go all the way in 2024, two decades on from the win that put the club on the map.
Saturday September 18, 2004, will forever be remembered as the day that marked North Queensland’s transformation from an expansion team of “easybeats” to an outfit that commanded the respect of the competition.
That was the day the Cowboys ended its 10-year winless streak against big brother Brisbane, dumping the Broncos out of the NRL semi-finals in a 10-0 boilover at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
So confident was Broncos coach Wayne Bennett of victory that he personally drove the relocation of Brisbane’s home final to Townsville, the childhood home of retiring skipper Gorden Tallis and where his team had gone unbeaten since 1995.
It was a decision that would go on to haunt Brisbane as the North Queensland crowd that traditionally saved its biggest cheers for the Broncos dramatically flipped its allegiance to cheer on the home side.
For the first time in 212 games Brisbane failed to score a point while a piece of Matthew Bowen magic helped the Cowboys to the only try of the match through David Myles.
“It was definitely the night that transformed us,” Bowen told this masthead.
“No doubt that night was the moment we put the Cowboys in the right direction.”
THE BUILD-UP
The Cowboys had won seven of their past nine, including a qualifying final upset over the No.2 seed and eventual premiers Bulldogs, when the shocking news emerged from Brisbane.
The Broncos, third on the ladder, were voluntarily forfeiting home ground advantage to play the No.7 seeded Cowboys on enemy turf.
“For some unknown reason Wayne Bennett was the one who wanted to shift it here,” North Queensland hooker Aaron Payne said.
“We were getting a lot more consistent with our performances and starting to be a lot more competitive and that had given us confidence.
“I know it was probably the first time we came into a game against the Broncos where we really thought we could beat them.”
If Bennett was counting on the usual love for his side and Townsville’s homegrown Tallis on a farewell tour, it was a call the mastercoach got wrong.
“In recent years when we played the Broncos more of the supporters just came to watch the Broncos play,” Bowen recalled.
“I remember running out to home crowds back then and we’d get a little cheer and the Broncos would run out to a massive cheer. But ’04, that game turned that tide.”
Cowboys supporters camped outside Dairy Farmers Stadium to secure their place among the official 24,889 in attendance.
Players’ voices were drowned out at training because of the throngs of supporters cheering on every touch, tackle and pass.
“It was a big night; Gorden Tallis’ last for the Broncos,” Payne said.
“It was the first time I’d experienced it at Dairy Farmers where there was not a blade of grass. Usually they’d leave some grass for people to enter and exit their spots on the hill but that night there were people on top of each other, no grass to be seen.
“It was like they were turning a blind eye to health and safety for the night because they were going to pack as many people into that joint as they could.
“The atmosphere was unbelievable. It still gives me goosebumps thinking about it. It honestly felt like there were 50,000 there.”
THE GAME
North Queensland’s defence was in the competition’s top five in 2004 but in that semi-final the Cowboys produced the finest defensive display in club history.
The Cowboys tackled their way to victory, repelling a star-studded Broncos line-up containing 17 State of Origin or international representatives and coached by the greatest of all time in Bennett.
The game flew by in a blur.
Broncos winger Stu Kelly dropped a Brent Tate pass with the tryline begging and the mistake was punished soon after.
Bowen chipped behind the line on last tackle and Dally M Rookie of the Year Karmichael Hunt was unable to defuse the bounce after flying out of the line.
Five-eighth David Myles dashed the final 15m to score by the posts in the 25th minute, sealing an 8-0 lead at the halftime break.
“It was hard-fought and I don’t remember much but I remember setting up that try for David,” Bowen said.
“I chipped and chased and he picked it up and scored. It was a wonderful, wonderful moment.”
Josh Hannay kicked his third goal of the match in the 51st minute to extend the lead to 10 and North Queensland grew in confidence with every tick of the clock.
“With every minute that passed, and every minute we kept them scoreless, I can remember the crowd getting right behind us,” Payne said.
“As players we drew on their energy and when you’re getting energy out of the crowd and confidence from what you’re doing you feel bulletproof.
“You don’t feel tired, even when you are, and that’s what it felt like that night.
“It honestly felt that night like we never going to lose.”
There was more drama to come.
With 15 minutes to play Brisbane counterattacked through winger Tame ‘Gary’ Tupou and might have run 90m to score if not an electric cover tackle from Nathan Fien.
The 80kg halfback gave up around 30kg to the New Zealand international but bundled him into touch to save a certain six points.
“Big Tupou was a massive fella and it was a massive tackle. It would have changed the game if they scored that try,” Bowen said.
“Fieny was a pest on the field and a great competitor and chased him down to make the tackle.”
THE LEGACY
The Cowboys were controversially beaten by the Roosters in the following week’s preliminary final but the self-belief gained from reaching North Queensland’s Everest Base Camp - beating the Brisbane Broncos - was the ember that ignited the club’s glorious next decade.
North Queensland became one of the great entertainers of rugby league, led by 2005 recruit Johnathan Thurston and his magician’s assistant Bowen.
The pair powered the Cowboys into the 2005 grand final, a step that players believe would never have been possible if not for that night at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
“Why it’s such a special night for me was because I was a North Queensland kid,” Payne said.
“I, along with all the others who supported the Cowboys, had to endure all the years where we were easybeats and we were the little brother of Broncos.
“That night was special, obviously because it was the first night we beat them, but if you ask people, that was the night that from then on we weren’t the little brothers any more.
“To be a part of helping transform a club from easybeats to premiership threats and a competition side that gave our fans something to cheer about, that’s why it was so special.
“That was the changing of the guard moment. It changed how we were viewed and it gave us confidence that we were good enough to compete with anyone.”
To Bowen, even decades later, it remains the finest moment of his Cowboys career.
“To be part of that team … everyone asks what’s my favourite memory playing in a Cowboys jersey and no doubt, that one stands out for mine,” Bowen said.
“That’s my favourite moment in a Cowboys jersey. Playing and beating the Broncos for the first time and making our first semi-final.
“Just to believe, after that year, making the semi-finals, then we thought we could make it every year.
“We had Johnno (Thurston) come in ’05 and players wanted to come to the club to play for the Cowboys.
“The year after (2005) we went all the way to the grand final just having that belief within the team, the community and the club that we had a roster that could make it to a grand final.”
THE CURRENT DAY
That same belief roars through the veins of the 2024 North Queensland Cowboys.
The team has showed it is an attacking powerhouse but the defensive grit to shut down the Bulldogs and Knights in recent weeks can take the club back to the grand final, Bowen said.
“Most definitely they have what it takes to make a grand final,” he said.
“I think we’ve got the calibre of players to do it if we stay injury free.
“I think we’ll go all the way. We can match it with the top teams.
“I’m looking forward to next week because we’ve had a couple of good games against good teams and finals are different games.
“If our boys are up for it they’ll go well.”
Payne, now the transition coach and NSW Cup coach for Wests Tigers, said the Cowboys’ success would depend on its defence, just as it did 20 years ago.
“The biggest thing is how they turn up defensively,” the former hooker said.
“We all know they can score points and they have a lot of players who can pile on points.
“From that regard, certainly (they can go on a deep run). If you look at their last few weeks it’s probably the best footy they’ve played all year.
“They didn’t concede many points against the Bulldogs and they put a ton on.
“I know what it’s like as a player when you’re in that headspace, where you’re confident as a group.
“That’s the most powerful thing you can have leading into finals. I reckon they’ve got a bit of that at the moment.
“They’re certainly a dangerous team in the competition and I hope they do well.”
Originally published as 20 Years On: Cowboys’ Bronco-busters reflect on epic 2004 semi
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