Will the St George Illawarra Dragons bounce back after successive defeats or can the North Queensland Cowboys restore some much-needed pride? Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match at 7:35pm (AEST).
Some have recently suggested that the entire Cowboys team is in need of a rest and last week’s 38-12 loss to the Raiders only strengthened that claim.
After making it all the way to the grand final last year, North Queensland entered 2018 burdened by high expectations that they haven’t come close to fulfilling.
Wins have been hard to come by, with Paul Green’s men claiming just the one victory from their past eight games. As such, the threat of the wooden spoon is hanging, yet it doesn’t look to be motivating them.
Coach Green has still refused to make any drastic changes to the side, although Justin O’Neill replaces Antonio Winterstein on the wing, while Coen Hess starts for Shane Wright.
The Dragons have an unfortunate reputation for choking, and they have done themselves no favours in the past fortnight.
Back-to-back losses to the Storm and Tigers have only given their sceptics even more of a reason to argue that Paul McGregor’s men are simply making up the numbers in 2018.
After looking a possibility for the minor premiership, a loss on Saturday night could see Saints drop out of the top four for the first time this year.
The club desperately needs a win given that McGregor no longer has the opportunity to rest his State of Origin stars.
Prediction
The Dragons may be on the decline but they have the perfect opportunity to regain confidence.
Dragons by 24.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:35pm (AEST).
CTSTORM
Guest
Taumalolo should take a stint at Intrust cup. He is paid million not just to make meters but score set and tires.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Match Report: The St George Illawarra Dragons have temporarily moved into top position on the ladder with a comfortable 24-10 win over the North Queensland Cowboys at 1300Smiles Stadium. While the Dragons will drop to second if the Melbourne Storm claim their seventh-straight win tomorrow afternoon, the 14-point victory sees them overtake the Rabbitohs, who went down to the Tigers 22-6 in the game prior. After a strong start to 2018, the Dragons’ minor premiership hopes were quickly fading after back-to-back losses to the Storm and Tigers. However, it was clear from the start that they were determined to use their meeting with the lowly Cowboys as a springboard to return to form. A slick backline play in the fourth minute saw Matt Dufty burst through the middle and link with Jason Nightingale who crossed over out wide. The 15th placed Cowboys, who were already low on confidence, gained a much-needed penalty in the 10th minute and had a chance to strike straight back. In a clear sign of the lack of belief at the club, they instead opted for a penalty goal. A sequence of penalties conceded by the Dragons saw Jonathan Thurston again shoot for the two points. But this time he hit the posts. Fortunately for the home side, they regained possession and drew another penalty with Jack de Belin sent for a ten-minute break. Thurston quickly made amends and added another two points to see the Cowboys trail 6-4 after 19 minutes. Only three minutes later North Queensland finally capitalised on their dominant field position when Gavin Cooper dived over out of dummy-half. Once de Belin returned, it only took the Red V three minutes to bounce back. This time it was Dufty himself who posted the try, accelerating through a hole off a nice short ball from Gareth Widdop to score. The Dragons landed a massive blow in the 38th minute when Tariq Sims barged over close to the line, extending the away side’s lead to eight at the break. Rookie Jordan Pereira enjoyed a strong debut in the place of the injured Nene Macdonald and the winger soared over in the 49th minute after a brilliant cross-field kick from Gareth Widdop. From here, the game descended into a flurry of errors with neither side able to post any more points. As a result, the Dragons held on for a confidence-boosting 24-10 win. They will still need to be far better next week as they prepare to take on the Roosters. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have a realistic chance to finally post a rare win when they face the albeit rejuvenated Knights.
3 recalcitrant monkeys
Guest
22 missed tackles in the back line for the cowboys Jt with 8 . They played some football though so it was good to see them running the ball . Dragons looked the goods tonight .
Rob
Guest
If Taumalolo had a licence to off load maybe the Cowboys could create some 2nd phase opportunities and score some points. JT hasn't got the speed, strength or footwork to challenge the defence anymore. It's very predictable. The Cowboys can't score more than 16 points and they certainly can't defend less than 20.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Pretty sad watching this Cowboys team. Had such high hopes for them at the beginning of the season and they have the talent. Best forward in the game and one of the best players to ever play the game. Lots of effort but they just can't put anything together in attack and mistake after mistake. Never thought I'd say it but JT has played one season too long. His defensive efforts tonight was pretty ordinary. Not laying the blame at his feet though as it was pretty much mistakes all across the park. Good win by the Dragons after their poor performance last week against the Tigs. To go up to North Qld is never easy but they've played very good footy tonight and defended a whole lot better than last week.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
FULL TIME - DRAGONS 24 DEFEAT COWBOYS 10 Dragons fans - you are temporarily back on top of the ladder. Not many highlights in the second half but the Red V hold on for a 24-10 win. What did you make of that Roarers?
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
80' - Scott Bolton with a mistake in the play-the-ball and that will do it here at Townsville! COWBOYS - 10 DRAGONS - 24
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
79' - Jack de Belin drops the ball bringing it up. Cowboys pack the scrum and have 40 seconds to score 30 out from the Dragons' line. COWBOYS - 10 DRAGONS - 24
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
79' - The Cowboys have one final chance to give their home fans a highlight after they claimed a late six-again call. They are just 10 out with a full set to come. Scott Bolton with a customary hit-up before a spread right sees Jake Clifford go short to Coen Hess who drops it. COWBOYS - 10 DRAGONS - 24
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
77' - Their last-tackle option comes undone again with Jordan Pereira surging down the sideline and finding Timoteo Lafai in support. He links with Gareth Widdop and he drops the ball cold... not expecting anymore points in this one. COWBOYS - 10 DRAGONS - 24
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
75' - A pretty tame set from the Dragons with Gareth Widdop taking the tackle on the last after exploring the right edge of the North Queensland defence. Just five minutes remain now as the Cowboys work it out from their own end. Johnathan Thurston is under pressure om the last and passes to Jake Clifford who puts in a shallow kick that is taken by Matthew Dufty and the Dragons are already over halfway on the second. COWBOYS - 10 DRAGONS - 24
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
73' - Gavin Cooper drops the ball in the tackle of Ben Hunt and Tariq Sims. Dragons scrum 40 out from the Cowboys' line. COWBOYS - 10 DRAGONS - 24
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
73' - Matthew Dufty looks to take the line on with his speed and links with Jordan Pereira who fends off a number of defenders before being tackled on halfway. The Dragons are 30 out on the last and Gareth Widdop sends it out on the full. COWBOYS - 10 DRAGONS - 24
Rob
Guest
Martin didn't even hit Dufty, it's his own player who is attempting to block Martin getting to the ball?
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
71' - Ben Hunt puts it high on the last but Kyle Feldt is too good again, great awareness putting his foot in-goal and he is rewarded with a seven-tackle set. The Cowboys are already in the Dragons' half on the second as Jason Taumalolo surges towards the 30. Jake Clifford grubbers early and Jordan Pereira is a bit complacent with Feldt sneaking around him but the young winger makes up for it by forcing an error from the Cowboys flyer. COWBOYS - 10 DRAGONS - 24
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
69' - North Queensland are 10 out on the last. Johnathan Thurston puts up a dangerous chip and Te Maire Martin is after it. Matthew Dufty soars above to take it and tumbles to the ground and Martin is penalised. That was just a collision for mine, he was going for the ball. Tough but understandable call under the current rules. COWBOYS - 10 DRAGONS - 24
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
67' - Dragons pack the scrum on their own 10. Euan Aitken works his way up to the 20 before Blake Lawrie takes a hit-up and only picks up five metres or so. The Red V are struggling for metres here but a determined run by James Graham takes them over the 40. Gareth Widdop sends it long on the last and Kyle Feldt again is there to take it on his own 20. COWBOYS - 10 DRAGONS - 24
Rob
Guest
The pass from JT was questionable at best anyway.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
66' - A great inside ball by Johnathan Thurston to John Asiata sees the prop storm through the middle and he looks to link inside with a speedy Te Maire Martin but Tariq Sims forces an error from the five-eighth. COWBOYS - 10 DRAGONS - 24
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
65' - Jason Taumalolo surges through off a smart offload by John Asiata but there is no one in support and he takes the tackle. The kick on the last is fielded by the Dragons who work it out from their own end. Gareth Widdop has to rush a kick on the last from within his own 30 and Justin O'Neill takes it and brings it up towards halfway. Cowboys winning the field position battle right now. COWBOYS - 10 DRAGONS - 24