[1] The Northern Pride worked through the financial troubles they faced at the end of last season, with the North Queensland Cowboys and NRL partnerships guaranteeing funding.
There was some controversy in Round 9 when Mackay Cutters hooker Roy Baira broke Pride five-eighth Luke Millwood's jaw in a high tackle.
[9] Despite the loss of home-ground advantage, the Pride beat Central Comets to reach their maiden Grand Final against newcomers Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles.
Twelve new players made their debut this season; four were new signings (Rod Jensen, Tom Humble, Chris Riesen and Germaine Paulson), and eight were new Cowboys allocation players (Nick Slyney*, James Tamou*, Clint Amos*, Brandon Boor*, Manase Manuokafoa*, Carl Webb* and Travis Burns*).
Chris Sheppard (c) Adam Mills Alex Starmer Ben Laity Callan Myles Chey Bird Chris Riesen Drew Campbell Germaine Paulson Greg Byrnes Gordon Rattler Hezron Murgha Jamie Frizzo Jason Roos Joel Riethmuller Josh Vaughan Luke Harlen Luke Millwood Mark Cantoni Noel Underwood Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia Richie Marsters Rod Griffin Rod Jensen Tom Humble Ben Kerr
25 September 2009, Brothers World of Entertainment, Manunda In 2009, after using a five-team finals series for 10 years, the Queensland Cup used a six-team system.
They were joined by the Sunshine Coast, who finished fourth in their return season, after they defeated reigning premiers Souths Logan 30–26 in the preliminary final.
The Pride opened the scoring in the fifth minute when they created a huge overlap, with centre Jamie Frizzo finishing off the play with a try.
The Sunshine Coast responded quickly when five-eighth Tony Williams bumped off a defender and threw an offload to centre Shane Neumann who crossed for his first try.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, the Pride gave themselves a chance when Rod Jensen scored and cut the Sea Eagles' lead to 10.
Tony Williams, who was awarded the Duncan Hall Medal, and second rower Vic Mauro would go onto play in the Manly Sea Eagles' 2011 NRL Grand Final win over the New Zealand Warriors.