The Cowboys entered the 2008 season optimistic about the finals chances after a preliminary final appearance in 2007. The club got off to the worst possible start, losing three straight games. They would win their next three but it proved to be a false dawn, as the side went on a club record 13-game losing streak. They finished the season with two wins from their final five games, finishing in 15th place and narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon. The season was plagued by injury, with key players
Matthew Bowen,
Luke O'Donnell,
Matthew Scott and
Johnathan Thurston all missing considerable playing time due to injuries. On April 2, the Cowboys signed former assistant coach and then-
Canberra Raiders coach
Neil Henry as their head coach for the
2009 season. A month later,
Graham Murray re-signed as head coach and was replaced by his assistant
Ian Millward as interim head coach for the rest of 2008. Millward's first win as head coach occurred in Round 22, as the Cowboys defeated the
Canterbury Bulldogs 36-12 at
Suncorp Stadium. Despite the poor season, the club still maintained the fourth highest home crowd average in the NRL with an average of 18,102.
Milestones •
Round 1: Matthew Scott played his 50th game for the club. •
Round 1: Travis Burns and
Ben Harris made their debuts for the club. •
Round 2: Dayne Weston made his debut for the club. •
Round 2: Obe Geia made his NRL debut. •
Round 4: Anthony Watts and
John Williams made their debuts for the club. •
Round 8: Daniel Abraham made his debut for the club. •
Round 14: Nick Slyney made his NRL debut. •
Round 15: Greg Byrnes made his NRL debut. •
Round 16: Ashley Graham played his 50th game for the club. •
Round 16: Brandon Boor and
Sam Bowie made their NRL debuts. •
Round 19: Luke Harlen made his debut for the club. •
Round 21: The club recorded their longest losing streak with their 13th straight loss. •
Round 22: Ray Cashmere played his 50th game for the club. •
Round 25: Shane Tronc played his 100th game for the club. == Squad List ==