Coen Hess signs three-year extension to remain a one-club Cowboy

The North Queensland fan-favourite will remain at the Cowboys until at least the end of the 2027 season. Find out what he told his manager to make sure the deal would get done.

North Queensland Cowboys Coen Hess has signed a three-year deal to remain at the club until at least the end of 2027. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Coen Hess has recommitted to the North Queensland Cowboys, agreeing to a three-year deal that will see him remain at the club until at least the end of the 2027 season.

The one-club player said he never wanted to play anywhere else, throwing all his cards on the table during negotiations to ensure he would continue his career in Townsville.

“I’d like to think I’m pretty easy to negotiate with, I just told my manager I don’t really want to go anywhere else and not to even consider any other clubs – just get the most out of the Cowboys and I’ll sign on the dotted line,” Hess said.

“I’ve been here since I was 16 so I’ve spent pretty much half my life here. I’m happy here, and really looking forward to the next three years.”

Hess came through the Cowboys’ junior academies and under-20s side before making his NRL debut in 2015, a week after his 19th birthday.

AUGUST 2015: Coen Hess training at 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville, ahead of his first NRL match against the Warriors in New Zealand. Picture: Wesley Monts

The former Ignatius Park schoolboys star, Townsville Brothers A-grader and Townsville Stingers representative is one of the Cowboys’ four remaining players who were part of the premiership-winning 2015 squad alongside Jason Taumalolo, Jake Granville and Kyle Feldt – though Hess did not play in the grand final.

He said it was bittersweet watching from the sidelines as the latter two earnt their life memberships this year after 200 games for North Queensland.

“That’s another one of my huge goals. I was a bit shattered I couldn’t be out there with them when they played their 200th game for the club – that’s another thing you miss while you’re injured,” Hess said.

“I’ve played my whole career with both of those guys in the team so to watch them achieve that, I was really proud of them and they 100 per cent deserved it.

Cowboys training at 1300 Smiles Stadium. Kyle Feldt, Coen Hess and Kalyn Ponga. April 2017. Picture: Evan Morgan

“I understand now, sitting in the grandstand watching the team, I know what the fans go through – the rollercoaster, it can be hard at times.

“You just want to be out there going to work with them and trying to get a win because that’s the most enjoyable part of our job, working hard throughout the week and getting the win on the weekend.”

Now 27 years old, Hess needs just 35 games to reach the 200-game milestone himself and with three seasons ahead of him he should get there.

He said the extended stint on the sideline – his first major injury in nine seasons of NRL – had been tough emotionally.

“I’d be lying if I said it was easy. But it hasn’t been too bad, I’ve got a good rehab coaching staff,” Hess said.

“It’s obviously a long and slow grind that has its challenges but I’m a pretty happy bloke, I still get to come to work, if you can call this work.

“I get to come in every day and work hard with my best mates so I wouldn’t really consider it a job – it’s challenging but it’s all part of the sport.”

North Queensland Cowboys Coen Hess. Picture: Shae Beplate.

With his restricted mobility Hess has been hitting the gym hard and he has a longstanding club record in his sights.

“Old Carl Webb has got the bench press record at the moment here at the club so I’ve sort of got a goal of achieving that,” Hess said.

“I told myself I don’t want to beat it, I just want to tie it so I can be up alongside him there because I think that’d be pretty special.

“I did 165kg for two the other day, so I’m closing in but there’s still a long way to go. 20kg on the bench is a lot.”

Hess joins a strong core including Tom Dearden, Scott Drinkwater, Heilum Luki, Jeremiah Nanai, Jason Taumalolo and Thomas Mikaele (club option) who are signed until at least 2027.

Originally published as Coen Hess signs three-year extension to remain a one-club Cowboy