North Queensland’s trademark charge for the NRL finals is well and truly underway after they defeated Canterbury 20-12 at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
The win was a rare back-to-back victory in Sydney for the Cowboys after their breakthrough 36-18 defeat of Cronulla last week, their first away win this season.
With playmaker Johnathan Thurston instrumental and Matthew Wright scoring a double, the Cowboys have pushed into the top eight for the first time since round 10.
It was their first defeat of the Bulldogs in Sydney since 2004 and their first win at the Olympic venue since 2006.
A Thurston penalty goal sealed the win, and successive losses for the Bulldogs after their last start thrashing to Wests Tigers, in the 78th minute after the Cowboys controlled much of the contest for the 20 minutes either side of halftime.
Canterbury dominated the early exchanges in front of 9873 fans and took advantage in the 13th minute when Mitch Brown crossed for the opener out wide.
But from then it was mostly the Cowboys with winger Wright scoring two tries in four minutes to put the visitors 10-0 ahead on the half hour mark.
Fill-in centre Moses Mbye’s poor read in defence opened the way for Wright’s first, a brilliant Thurston chip kick creating his second.
A Thurston penalty goal a minute before the break put the Cowboys ahead 12-6.
North Queensland picked up where they left off after halftime when Antonio Winterstein scored out wide with Thurston throwing the try assist with a lovely long ball.
The Queensland playmaker’s conversion put the Cowboys ahead 18-6 with 31 minutes to play.
The Bulldogs then slowly but surely ground their way back into the match and Josh Jackson was rewarded when he scored in the 61st minute with Trent Hodkinson delivering the line break assist and the try assist, before a gritty Cowboys held out in the final quarter of the match.
Cowboys prop James Tamou was taken to hospital for scan on a neck injury he suffered in the 18th minute.
Bulldogs utility Tony Williams was put on report for a 34th minute high tackle on Robert Lui.
The Cowboys have form making a late run for the finals, having won six straight to make last year’s playoffs.
The loss puts the Dogs in third behind Manly and Penrith.
The Barry
Roar Guru
The Dogs look ordinary. Some troops coming back over the next couple of weeks - Reynolds, Tolman, Morris, Klemmer, Stanley - but most of all they desperately need a fullback. Perrett and Brown have been solid and reliable but you need much more than that from your 1 these days. The Dogs look insipid in attack and it's difficult to see where their next try is going to come from. Earlier in the season the Dogs were utilising their big, quality pack backed up with a low error rate to grind teams out of games. Now they're making a lot of errors and with Maitua and O'Hanlon on the bench the pack loses a lot of quality and intimidation factor. I'd seriously consider playing Morris or Stanley at fullback to provide some spark or something from the back.
MAX
Guest
Hi Muzz, This game had me edgy for a week. I remain flanked out.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agreed Cowelly. Or make them afternoon games where they can make them "family days" and put on some promotions. I have two young kids and getting them into and out of ANZ late at night for a game with no atmosphere is a nightmare.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It was a brilliant ball Muzz. I'm a Dogs fan but I let out a roar of approval as he threw it. The kick for Wright was pretty good too.
Cowelly
Guest
Cowboys draw some poor crowds in Sydney.. A lot of Sydney teams should be playing their away-home games (perth, wellington, adelaide, alice springs, darwin etc) against the cows.
catcat
Guest
I missed it as I was at the arena next door watching the ice hockey, I saw a few Dogs fans in there too. But yeah, very small crowd.
sportfreak
Guest
That crowd figure concerns me a bit. Mild clear evening with no other league games on in sydney.
Muzz
Guest
Something moved in my pants when JT through that money ball for the Cows last try, i think it was my keys.
Jay C
Guest
How could; Canterbury dominated the early exchanges in front of 9873 fans and took advantage in the 13th minute when Mitch Brown crossed for the opener out wide. and then; But from then it was mostly the Cowboys with winger Wright scoring two tries in four minutes to put the visitors 10-0 ahead on the half hour mark. I don't get it