In 1994, Ketchell represented the Queensland under-17 side, starting at in their 14–28 loss to New South Wales. In 1995, Ketchell signed with the newly established
North Queensland Cowboys, and was the youngest player in the club's inaugural first grade squad. Cowboys' head coach at the time,
Grant Bell, later said of Ketchell, "He was regarded as the next big thing." In Round 20 of the
1995 ARL season, Ketchell made his first grade debut for the
North Queensland Cowboys as an 18-year old in a 10–12 loss to the
Western Reds. In his rookie season, he played three games for the club. Over the next two seasons, Ketchell would play nine more games for the Cowboys, before being released at the end of the 1997 season. ==Statistics==