North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights Highlights: NRL scores, blog

Totally agree. Cowboys had 20 years of being smashed by the officials. Unfortunately the Knights and Titans appear to be the ones copping it now.

I was just pointing out that the Cowboys have had a fair run with the refs after you made the point that the Raiders have had a pretty good run in games this year. I haven't checked the Raiders penalty counts for individual games but I know the home crowds are much healthier now and they make a lot more noise so I wouldn't be surprised if the home ground penalty count was in their favour. But just had a look on the NRL.com website and the Raiders are fifth highest for penalties conceded with 50 and the Cowboys are 14th highest with 40. Sharks and Storm are second and fourth highest respectively. Not sure what to make of these stats as teams such as the Sharks and Storm don't seem to mind giving away penalties as it gives them time to set their defence and they back themselves to keep the opposition out. I feel a bit sorry for teams like the Knights who seem to get a rough deal. I don't think they are purposely trying to give away penalties unlike some of the top teams. And I know it used to feel that the Raiders used to get penalised more when they were further down the ladder.

Not sure what your point is now. Suggesting the Broncos and Cowboys being Queensland teams are looked after at home? I was suggesting it's no different to the Raiders and most Sydney teams. I do think the Ref are happy to penalise the younger or lower profile players more than the stars unfortunately.

Cowboys also won the penalty count 7-4 against the Broncos, won the count 11-9 against the Sharks, lost the count 9-7 against the Titans, won it 5-3 against the Rabbitohs, won the count 9-3 against the Tigers, it was 5 all against the Dragons and won the count 10-8 against the Knights. Sounds like some pretty favourable outcomes to the Cowboys to me.

Good research Rob - I guess I'll have to take your word for it. What was the penalty count in the Cowboys/Raiders game? Actually I just checked - it was 11-4 to the Cowboys. And how many penalty counts have the Cowboys and Broncos won at home this year? That must have been the first penalty count the Raiders have won in Brisbane for a few years.

The Raiders were awarded more penalties against the broncos (6 - 4). The Raiders have also had an advantage in the penalty counts in 7 out of their 8 games this year. ?

Penalty count 10-8 to the Cowboys, so not anywhere near the lopsided count you're imagining but an indicator of an over controlling ref And, having actually been there, I can tell you that there were some pretty soft penalties for both sides and a lot of missed or incorrect calls. Overall, no howlers but it's shocking that this is the best refereed game of the round. Also, aren't you a Canberra man? Why are you here, criticising the cowboys?

Did you know when Scott and Bowen were out injured Thurston's win ratio dropped to less than 30%.

Without JT the Cowboys are a middle of the table team. Not having Scott or Granville also doesn't help but most teams have to cope with injuries. And the match would have been a lot closer of the refs had put the whistle away a bit more. Would love to see how much the penalty count is in favour of the Cowboys in Townsville. Ditto the Broncos at Suncorp.

Without Scott and Granville they have little go forward. JT is good but they are not a one man team. Asiata is doing a great job.

Well done Cowboys, Great to see with no Thurston out there, that the boys wanted to win. Last week they lacked the confidence but they realised in the second half against the Dragons they don't need him. The Ref's were terrible with a lot of unwarranted and inconsistent penalties. Ponga is getting better every week.

Cowboys were very lucky to win that game - without the help of the refs they would have really struggled - and without Thurston they are an extremely average team.

The Knights have been pretty gutsy tonight - and absolutely slaughtered by the refs - as all opposition sides are in Townsville. The penalty count in favour of the Cowboys tonight has been horrific.