The Cowboys have notched a golden-point win over the Canberra Raiders to kick off their 2017 NRL season.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
North Queensland Cowboys 20
Canberra Raiders 14
The North Queensland Cowboys will be looking to get their 2017 premiership off to a winning start when they host a weakened Canberra Raiders side. Join The Roar from 7pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
The Cowboys are set to put out their best team against the Raiders, however Antonio Winterstein could sit it out, the winger under an injury cloud.
However, the injury problems of North Queensland seem minuscule compared to those of Canberra, without captain Jarrod Croker, who dislocated his left knee against the Indigenous All Stars, while Kurt Baptiste and Kato Ottio are also sidelined with Achilles and ACL injuries respectively.
Canberra will sorely miss Croker’s leadership, defensive presence and goal-kicking skills.
Coming up against the likes of Matt Scott, Michael Morgan, Gavin Cooper and Justin O’Neill, who all provide dynamic scoring options in attack, the Raiders’ defensive depth will be tested.
The Green Machine’s best option is to control possession and keep North Queensland on the back foot. Allowing the momentum to go in the Cowboys’ favour could result in their weakened defence being run over, particularly with Johnathan Thurston looking to play off the back of Jason Taumalolo and exploit Canberra’s defence.
The Raiders have lost their past eight games in Townsville, prompting coach Ricky Stuart to bring his side to Queensland early to prepare in the tropical conditions.
Prediction
Canberra are the weaker side, and with the Cowboys playing at home, with a full-strength squad, and a great record against Canberra in Townsville, it’s hard to see anything other than a home side victory.
Cowboys by 14
a
Guest
Cowboys will win this year
Swannies
Guest
There's hope for Raiders in a couple of years but they still have a long way to go before being a serious contender. They need to experience more close games like this and tighten up under pressure...maybe 2019. But they will be lucky to repeat last year's efforts.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
True - BJ's try looked a bit suss - wouldn't have been surprised if it was overturned. Guess you can look at incidents throughout the match and come up with what ifs. I might have my green glasses on but I thought the Priest send off was incredibly soft - could have really hurt the Raiders but they held the Cowboys out when down to 12 men. Thought Thurston was lucky a couple of times - tried to shoulder bump Santo when he was coming back for a 7 tackle tap restart - lay all over Cotric after he ran him down after an 80 metre break. But its Thurston and like Cam Smith is seemingly untouchable. Both sides tested the boundaries in the ruck but it seemed to be the Raiders who were penalised. Great game though. Can't believe we could get a game of that quality and intensity in round 1.
Parrafan
Guest
Even better to see the bloke he punched in the face score the match winner. Something about winning the battle but losing the war.
B-Unit
Guest
Because he didn't throw it backwards...
Herman Hoth
Guest
I'm getting a bit tired as a Cowboys fan of golden point games. My ticker can only take so much punishment.
Herman Hoth
Guest
He played like an absolute grub tonight, Rapana wasn't far behind in the foul play department.
Herman Hoth
Guest
That first Leilua try was a bit dubious though wasn't it Bruce? I wasn't even convinced he reached the line. It was a brutal game though, I had a feeling the missed conversion after the Bowen try would come back to haunt us.
Herman Hoth
Guest
Totally agree Art. That dubious penalty conceded by Morgan towards the end of the game gave the Raiders the field position to score.
joel
Guest
Raiders played loose, if you want to win away you have to be more professional than that, double movement even the raiders fans at the time said no try double movement, clear as day punch, the new rules suit the cowboys game, and it showed against an ill disciplined team, no square up's by refs this year hopefully, get used to it ...
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
I think you might have something there about the Raiders copying some of the Storm tactics in the ruck - if you can't beat em join em. The Sharks were pretty good at it last year as well. I guess these tactics are necessary to stifle the Cowboys on their home patch - particularly to limit the influence of Thurston. If you play an open style of play against them you'd probably get slaughtered when they get some momentum. The Raiders had to up their defence to become a genuine contender this year and there was plenty of evidence of that tonight. Felt like a final and it was only the first round!
Silvertail47
Guest
And for the record , I'm not looking forward to playn you guys at Canberra ,,,, you will towel us ,,,,
Silvertail47
Guest
Geoff the better team won , they got the 2 points , if you send BJ off like he should have been he dosnt score twice , it's there for everyone to see , Raiders are tough but there a dirty side it looks like Ricky has pinched Bellamy book of coaching , you wrestled all night ,,, rapanas pass was forward , the Better team won
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
I just said the Cowboys were lucky to win and I'm not sure they were the better team on the night. They had Cummins in their back pocket for the whole night. With an 11-4 penalty count in their favour and 62% possession the Cowboys should have won by plenty - but they didn't - and that is credit to the Raiders defence. If the pass from Hodgson to Rapana 3 minutes int to extra time is let go the Raiders win. I'm sure if Thurston had passed that ball to a Cowboy back it would have been let go. Anyway - it was great game - I think a draw would have been a fitting result. And another amazing game by Taumolo - the bloke is unstoppable - ran for 260 metres.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
Home ground advantage won that one for the Cows.Hope the Raiders get a similar penalty count and favourable calls next home game.
Silvertail47
Guest
Geoff you carry on just like Ricky , the better team won , BJ should have been sent ,MRC will see to a suspension , if Canberra were better they'd have won , typical Raiders sook
Art Vandelay
Guest
Anyone complaining the Raiders were hard done by don't know the rules.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
You have no idea - both could be in the grand final based on that effort
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
"Better side won on the night". Are you serious? Cowboys were very fortunate to win that - had an armchair ride from the refs all night - love to know the penalty count. The pass to Rapana 3 minutes into extra time must have been only marginally forward. Could easily have been the winning try. And Thurston's kick off the cross bar could have easily gone out but luckily stayed in. Probably should have been a draw. Very proud of the Raiders effort tonight. Down to 12 men and held the Cowboys out set after set. Fantastic game. Good signs for the rest of the season.
Rob
Guest
Very lucky win for the Cowboys. Raiders played really well but conceded a lot of penalties in the ruck. They have gone to far with the wrestle and numbers in the tackle in my opinion.