The North Queensland Cowboys will fancy their chances of securing a second-straight away win when they face a Canterbury Bulldogs side coming off a heavy defeat to the Tigers. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEST.
If their results last season are anything to go by, the Cowboys should turn up with their best form against the Bulldogs.
The Cowboys are traditionally slow starters to the season but usually finish the year strongly. Having won three of their past four matches, North Queensland are once again well in the hunt for a top-eight berth.
Canterbury meanwhile continue to sit near the top of the ladder, despite a heavy loss to the Tigers last week. It was a surprise result, given the Bulldogs were coming off a fantastic defensive display against Melbourne a week earlier. Such great defence however was nonexistent against a rampant Tigers side that piled on 46 points.
Coach Des Hasler would have been displeased with the way the Bulldogs defended, so expect Canterbury to show a lot more defensive steel tonight against the Cowboys.
If the Bulldogs fail to turn up defensively, then the Cowboys will also hurt them on the scoreboard. Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan don’t need too many invitations to score points, as evidenced by their strong performances against Cronulla last week.
The Bulldogs still start favourites despite their heavy defeat to the Tigers. The Cowboys remain an enigma away from home, despite their win over the Sharks.
North Queensland at their best are certainly capable of beating Canterbury but until they start winning consistently on the road, they will remain difficult to tip.
Bulldogs by 4.
Danno1
Guest
this was a game where both teams expected to do the minimum effort required to win a game. Last week I could forgive the dogs, they'd had two massive results and may have been tired and on a come down. Today however was pathetic, Sam K and JGray aside. The boys need to gett their house in order, otherwisse this comp is a Manly gift
The Barry
Guest
That was rubbish. Bulldogs struggling.
james t
Guest
Bulldogs really suck. Kasiano is there best. Lol.
Alan
Roar Guru
Great win for the Cowboys against a flat Bulldogs side. Thurston dictated terms nicely in attack tonight and his kicking game was solid. Morgan also solid despite taking plenty of risks at the back. Cowboys defence also strong tonight. Bulldogs attack poor and they really need Josh Reynolds back in the line-up. His energy is missing big time. Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 20
Leroy Loggins
Guest
Bewdy ! Backed the Cowboys @ $2-50
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Bulldogs on the attack but its all for consolation now. Bulldogs with the forward pass. Story of their night! FULLTIME Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 20
Alan
Roar Guru
Cowboys go back to Townsville with their second away win on the trot. The Cowboys are building nicely now. Bulldogs are flat. Very small crowd in tonight. Just under 10,000 in. Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 20
Alan
Roar Guru
PENALTY SUCCESSFUL Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 20
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Cowboys with a chance to kick a field goal perhaps. Chance for the away side to seal the deal. Cowboys get the penalty! Surely that's the game now! Thurston going for goal! Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Lafai nearly through! Ennis with a poor kick and the footy goes dead. Cowboys get the tap. Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Cowboys on course for their second successive victory on the road. This win would set them up nicely for a run to the finals. Certainly a threat the Cowboys. Thurston with a great kick. Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Bulldogs right on the attack. We could be set for golden point perhaps! Kasiano gets away with a forward pass. Maitua loses the footy! Cowboys off the hook! Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Brown with a good run. Time ticking away. Cowboys still with a key six point lead. Penalty goal decisive so far. Eastwood with a good run. Hodkinson goes high. Morgan takes the footy well. Drop-out though for the Bulldogs Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
71' - Hodkinson with the kick and Lui picks up the footy and is over the 20 now. Cowboys hold on yet again. Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Great defensive set by the Bulldogs. Thurston kicks deep and Perrett returns strongly up to the halfway. Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 18
V.O.R.
Guest
well, well...michael morgan he doesn't lack confidence
Alan
Roar Guru
69' - Jackson with a good run. Ennis with a good kick. Morgan gets back into the field of play and finds Winterstein! Gee Morgan taking risks there!!! Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
67' - Cowboys back on the attack for the first time since scoring early in the second half to be honest. Big set for the Bulldogs defensively. Hall loses the footy but its play on! Lui drops the footy now just short of the line! Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 18
V.O.R.
Guest
what a kick....i think we are looking at something special with Morgs
Alan
Roar Guru
66' - Cowboys working it out of trouble. Morgan with a kick and Perrett has to take the footy. Great kick Morgan. Perrett trapped in-goal. Big play Cowboys! Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 18