Billy Stanley was chatting with his team-mates at last year's Aboriginal knockout in Redfern when it became clear - the Cowboys had to get that Wellington spirit back.
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Since then Wellington have appointed Stanley as coach, recruited most of last year's team and will have Blaine Stanley, Sean Stanley and Caleb Shaw return for one massive tilt at the Group 11 premiership.
It will be a one-off for some of the guys who have come out of semi-retirement or will travel extensively just to be part of the team.
"Obviously we want to win a grand final," Billy Stanley said.
"This will be Sean and Caleb's last year definitely and they want to go out winners.
"We just want to win for Wellington and get that Wellington spirit back.
"You couldn't beat that feeling that was in the town among our mates and family when we won those comps.
"We went down to Sydney and got beat in the third round (at the knockout) and afterwards we had a talk and decided to stick together.
"We figured if we can go to Sydney and play, why can't we play just one last season together. We're all friends and all locals."
The next step for the Cowboys is to reach at least the second week of the semis after being knocked out in consecutive minor preliminary finals, but they'll have to do it without teenage centre Chris Ah See who has moved to Caloundra.
"The talent is there," Stanley confirmed.
"We just need a bit more fitness and a bit more guidance in certain areas.
"You take those guys like Andrew Miller, Trent Runciman and Clinton Elemes and throw in Blaine Stanley, Sean Stanley and Caleb Shaw, and you've got a good team there.
"We've just got to get all those guys fit."
The coach is even talking about playing provided he can avoid injury.
"The doctors reckon I can, so we'll have to wait and see," Stanley continued.
"I broke a disc in my back and it's taken a while to heal, but hopefully I can get back into it."
Stanley started playing first grade for the Cowboys when he was 17 and had seasons with Mudgee, Dubbo CYMS and co-coached Wellington with Adrian Newman in the mid 1990s.
The Cowboys last won the first grade premiership in 1994 and claimed three straight from 1990 to 1992.
The club's last premiership was in 1999 when reserve grade took the title.
Referee Ray Peckham has put his whistle aside to coach reserve grade and his brother Michael will be in charge of the juniors.
