In: Jason Smith (Raiders), Scott Minto (Broncos), Ben Vaeau (Broncos), Jackson Nicolau (Brisbane Norths), Joe Clarke (Broncos), Ben Farrar (Eels)
Out: Travis Norton (retired), Matt Sing (Hull), Josh Hannay (Sharks), Gavin Cooper (Titans), Clint Amos (Titans), Brent McConnell (Broncos),Brett Firman (Panthers)
Coach: Graham Murray
Scouting Report
The Cowboys won their first six last season and looked certainties for finals footy for the third year running. Along came State of Origin, off went Graham Murray to NSW and, hey presto, the Cowboys went into freefall, winning just five of their last 18. Pundits were split over whether to blame Murray's departure, or a collective disillusionment over the failure of Brokeback Mountain to clean up at the Oscars.
The club settled on the former, recruiting a gun assistant coach in former St Helens boss Ian 'Basil' Millward to take the helm when Murray is on Origin duty. Millward won everything at Saints and ruffled a few feathers doing it. He once answered a question from this reporter at a press conference using no fewer than 26 unprintable swearwords. Marvellous.
If he can handle being a number two, the Cowboys should be in for a bounceback year. Just watch those Bowen boys fly.
Coach Graham Murray will almost certainly say
"If anyone has seen Sione Faumuina lately could you please ask him to give me a call."
Murray probably won't say
"Ian, any chance you could fill in for me at the press conference?"
Reasons to be cheerful
Any team with Johnathan Thurston at halfback, Matt Bowen at fullback and Paul Bowen in the centres is one to watch. Throw in the wildcard of Faumuina and this team could do anything.
Reasons to be fearful
Faumuina: If the tortured genius loses the plot, he may take the team with him.
