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In Cowboys country times are tough as flood-ravaged north Queenslanders can't catch a break — and neither can the region's NRL team.

"We haven't won this year. It's been a tough, tough start," admits North Queensland winger Murray Taulagi.

"We're just trying to be positive."

As is the rest of the region.

Flash flooding in Townsville last week followed widespread riverine flooding and property inundation in nearby Ingham last month.

In the sugar shire Laurie Spina, the Cowboys inaugural captain, lost massive amounts of cane when a wall of water hit his farm.

"Cane is affected the crop will be down that's for sure," he said.

"We're pretty tough. We'll have to build ourselves up, but we've been affected pretty badly."

A Cowboys win against the Raiders on Saturday would lift sodden spirits and the north Queensland team is acutely aware.

"Hopefully we can get the win and put a smile back on North Queenslanders faces again," Taulagi said.

"It's been a tough few months, I'm keen to get the job done."

When disaster strikes, the Cowboys can be a source of inspiration.

Just ask premiership winning club legend Johnathan Thurston.

"It was never lost on me that you put in a good performance because whatever is going on in the lives of the people of north Queensland, that 80 minutes that the Cowboys are playing for — it's like an escape," he said.

"Whether it is floods, cyclones, or drought.

"It is like their worries go away because they are supporting you and they are focused on you."

In 2025 the North Queensland Cowboys are marking 30 years since they joined the league.

The milestone has CEO Jeff Reibel feeling nostalgic.

Some of his fondest memories are of the tour of the club's maiden premiership trophy.

The Cowboys brought fanfare to regional north Queensland towns where graziers were battling a year of drought.

"I remember we were out west and someone came and said 'that's the first time I've seen my dad smile in the last four or five years, so thank you'," Mr Reibel said.

"I think that just shows what we mean to the community, but just as importantly what the community of north Queensland means to our club."

A win against the Raiders in Townsville would no doubt lift spirits, but it would also take pressure off the Cowboys.

On several occasions in recent weeks head coach Todd Payten has acknowledged criticism of his winless team — even calling it "justified".

"We feel under pressure as a club," he told reporters post-match last week.

"It'll turn, we've just got to make it turn through hard work."

Win, lose, or draw, the Cowboys will retain some of the league's most dedicated fans, earned over their 30 years representing the region.

Ronnie "Crocky" Murphy has attended almost every home game since the new Townsville Stadium opened in 2020, despite living 900 kilometres away from it.

"It is a lot of money and a lot of time but they're worth it. I love my boys," the Mount Isa-based fan insists.

This year will be different for the new grandmother, but like many she'll watch from afar.

"I have to give some time to my family, but I'll definitely be going to a few games," she said.