The North Queensland Cowboys entered the competition in 1995 but the seeds of a regional club from the state's top half were sown years earlier.
The turning point for the Cowboys' push came in 1989 when 15,000 people turned out for a mid-week match between the Eels and the Broncos at the Townsville Sports Reserve.
From that point on, there was no stopping the North Queensland juggernaut. From their inaugural season in 1995, the club has gone from strength to strength and this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.
In 2005 the Cowboys made it to the grand final from fifth place and from then have gone on to be regular competitors in finals series of the past decade.
Ten players have represented Australia from the Cowboys, whilst 20 players have appeared in State of Origin football – 17 for the Maroons and three for New South Wales.
The club's Round 19 Heritage match against the Sea Eagles at Brookvale will be another chapter in a fierce rivalry with this perennial NRL powerhouse.
The Cowboys are Bound By History… History Bound.
