Premiership aspirants the North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury Bulldogs do battle in what should be a high quality contest at 1300 Smiles stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8pm AEST.
With Cronulla and Melbourne seemingly in pole position to lock up the first two spots on the premiership ladder, the Cowboys and Bulldogs both need a win tonight to solidify their hold on the remaining top four spots currently available.
Both teams have enjoyed productive seasons, with the Cowboys in particular once again well in the running to secure back-to-back premierships. The Origin period however hasn’t been kind to them given that their best players were generally unavailable – a key factor behind some recent defeats.
At full strength however, the Cowboys start strong favourites against the dangerous Bulldogs. Canterbury are building some strong momentum with four wins on the trot and will fancy their chances of causing the upset tonight, particularly if a strong pack led by Sam Kasiano can win the arm-wrestle early on.
The battle between quality forwards Jason Taumalolo and David Klemmer will also be pivotal to deciding which team is able to dominate upfront tonight.
While both teams are pretty evenly matched across the park, the Cowboys still possess a key advantage in the halves because of Johnathon Thurston, who remains several classes above his opposite half Josh Reynolds.
Reynolds has established himself as a fine footballer that leads from the front tremendously well. Thurston however is an immortal and arguably the greatest half of all time. Despite being over 30 years of age, the QLD and Australia test legend still sets the benchmark for halfback play. If he is allowed to dominate once again, the Cowboys at home will continue to prove near impossible to defeat.
Prediction
In a game with plenty on the line, one would expect Thurston’s play to once again prove decisive in splitting the two teams yet again.
Cowboys by 6
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8pm AEST.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Well it was a nice flirtation with not being inconsistent rubbish from the Bulldogs, for all that Thurston was good, the Bulldogs did a lot of that to themselves and any top 8 side would've carved them up for it -- you can't fail to complete so many sets in the first 20 minutes of a game (and the few they did complete weren't good sets and had weak finishes).
Joe
Roar Rookie
What this game also showed is what a difference having a good kicking half in your team makes. For this reason I think the Cows, Sharks and Storm are well placed for a tilt at the title. It is also the reason I'm backing the Titans to make the 8 if Ashley Taylor stays fit. They can on their day win the game in the first half by making the other team defend repeat sets and turning them around again and again.
NQ Cowboy
Guest
I can't imagine the pain that the Bulldogs and their supporters must go through watching Thurston calve them up. It is comparable to the Charlotte Hornets trading Kobe Bryant to the Lakers.
catcat
Guest
Dogs play dragons next week.....we'll find out
The Barry
Roar Guru
He obviously saw something on but regardless of the decision making the execution was still inch perfect
Bulldog
Guest
And the Cows are back....
The Barry
Roar Guru
What a performance from Thurston. Dogs made way too many mistakes but Thurston made sure they paid the full price every time. No ball, too much petrol used. Game over after 20 minutes.
Alan
Roar Guru
DALLY M POINTS: 3 - Jason Taumalolo: Made nearly 200 metres tonight and at times proved unstoppable. Complete performance from the complete forward. 2 - Johnathon Thurston: offered a coaching clinic in the first half with his kicking game. Great play as usual from the finest half the NRL has ever seen. Forced off with injury early in the second half though... 1 - Antonio Winterstein: Scored a hat-trick tonight, thus solidifying himself as one of the game's premier finishers. Clinical.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Next week...but no Thurston.
Alan
Roar Guru
Ball went loose and Winterstein simply scoops up possession and races away to score! Winterstein with a hat-trick. Cowboys make a big statement here. Bulldogs brought back to earth. Thurston offered a master class in the first half with his kicking game. Cowboys forwards once again dominant. CONVERSION MISSED FULLTIME Cowboys 36 Bulldogs 0
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY COWBOYS Cowboys 36 Bulldogs 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Winterstein now goes for the corner and he scores his hat-trick! Video referee Cowboys 32 Bulldogs 0
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Cowboys on the attack again. Even without Thurston, the Cowboys have gone on to score two tries to the Bulldogs nil. The Bulldogs were in camp for a week in Cairns I hear. Didn't have the desired effect by the look of things. Cowboys 32 Bulldogs 0
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Hard to imagine it not being one.
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Cowboys and the Sharks my premiership favourites. Melbourne are very good but I feel that Cronulla and North Queensland at their best have more to offer. Cowboys 32 Bulldogs 0
Johnybulldog
Guest
We go around next week :)
Alan
Roar Guru
NO TRY BULLDOGS Knock on ruled and the Bulldogs are still scoreless. Cowboys 32 Bulldogs 0
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
Cowboys vs Melbourne in a couple of weeks I believe. Will be a cracker.
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Bulldogs on the attack. Gee their passing has been poor. Grubber put in. Video referee... Cowboys 32 Bulldogs 0
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Canterbury are one of those teams that are capable of weathering blitzes like the Cowboys'. On the other hand, North Queensland are one of those teams that usually play rugby league for the entire 80 minutes, it you take meaning. They just look like they are enjoying themselves.