A-Z guide for 2013: O-Z

We farewell 2012 with the final instalment of our new-season guide – happy new year from the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys!

ORIGIN: The Maroons are chasing eight in a row and have to do it with two games in Sydney in 2013. Last season we had four players involved – how many will it be in 2013?

PRE-SEASON TRIALS: The Cowboys kick off their year against the Broncos in Mt Isa on 9 February, followed by St George Illawarra in Cairns on 16 February and the Gold Coast Titans in Mackay on 23 February.

QUEENSLAND: We play our biggest Queensland rivals, the Brisbane Broncos, in round six at Suncorp Stadium as part of Men of League Heritage Round and round 20 at home as part of Rivalry Round. Our winning streak against Brisbane currently stands at a club record of three victories in a row.

ROBERT LUI: No one will be more keen for 2013 to begin than the halfback who had to sit out virtually all of the 2012 season after making his NRL debut for the Cowboys in round one. His on-field time for North Queensland is just 15 minutes so far.

SCOTT: The Cowboys co-captain finished the year with a man-of-the-match performance for Australia against New Zealand. He is another with a milestone ahead, needing just nine games to reach 150.

TOP EIGHT: If North Queensland makes the finals in 2013, it will be a club record third consecutive appearance.

UNBEATEN: The Cowboys haven’t lost a Monday night match over the past two seasons. So far, they have three on their 2013 schedule, including round three against Newcastle and round four against the Warriors.

VISION: There will be a multitude of ways for you to watch your footy in 2013! The best is heading along to the ground and experiencing the atmosphere of live rugby league, but you’ll also be able to see Cowboys games on television, mobile phones and tablets.

WESTS TIGERS: The final-round meeting with Benji Marshall’s team in Townsville could count for plenty. It’s one of six home games in the final eight rounds for North Queensland.

X FACTOR: No one can really say how much influence a vocal home crowd can have on their team, and the match in general, but we do know it’s vital. We’d love to hear even more noise from our Cowboys members and supporters in the stands in 2013!

YOUTH: The Cowboys will start the year with ten players aged 21 or younger in their NRL squad: Michael Morgan, Wayne Ulugia, Ethan Lowe, Sam Hoare, Curtis Rona, Jason Taumalolo, Chris Grevsmuhl, Felise Kaufusi, Kyle Feldt and Alex Elisala.

ZERO: That’s the number of weights sessions that won’t feature heavy metal music when Ashton Sims is in the gym. He loves it.

BRING ON SEASON 2013!