Coached by Neil Henry and co-captained by Johnathan Thurston and Matthew Scott, they competed in the NRL's 2013 Telstra Premiership.
The Cowboys entered the 2013 NRL season with high expectations and without their long time hooker and club legend Aaron Payne, who retired at the end of 2012.
Tragedy struck the club on 29 April, when talented rookie Alex Elisala died at age 20.
The Cowboys defeated the Parramatta Eels five days later, dedicating the game and the rest of the season to Elisala.
[1][2] Henry stayed on as head coach until the end of 2013, as the Cowboys went on a six-game winning streak to finish in 8th place and qualify for the finals series.