The 2013 North Queensland Cowboys season was the 19th in the club's history. Coached by Neil Henry and co-captained by Johnathan Thurston and Matthew Scott, they competed in the NRL's 2013 Telstra Premiership. The Cowboys finished the season in 8th place and were knocked out in the first week of the finals by the Cronulla Sharks.
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. The side won their Round 1 game against the Canterbury Bulldogs but would only win five of their next 19 games, leaving them sitting in 15th place after 20 rounds. 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.
On 29 July, coach Neil Henry had his contract terminated after re-signing until the end of 2014 in March. 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. They were defeated 20-18 by the Cronulla Sharks in week 1 of the finals, in a game in which the Sharks scored a try on the 7th tackle of a set.
On 1 October the club appointed former player Paul Green as their head coach for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
At the end of the season, the Cowboys' had 13 players selected for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
Source:
The following players have played a representative match in 2013