Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
14
Match Complete
North Queensland Cowboys
14
| J. Addo-Carr |  | 79 | ||
| J. Preston | | 67 | ||
| 61 |  | V. Holmes | ||
| 59 | | T. Chester | ||
| M. Burton | | 20 | ||
| J. Preston | | 18 | ||
| 13 |  | V. Holmes | ||
| 7 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 6 | | T. Dearden |
| 3 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 5 of the NRL concludes this evening as the Canterbury Bulldogs host the North Queensland Cowboys at Accor Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:15pm (AEST).
Both the Bulldogs and Cowboys enter the round with two wins and two defeats from their four previous encounters. The Dogs lost narrowly to the Warriors in Auckland last weekend, a game they could easily have won without really deserving to, while an understrength Cowboys team did just enough to beat the Titans in Townsville.
The Bulldogs also have a win away in Melbourne in their form line this season, albeit against a Storm team showing signs of decline, while the Cowboys lost at home to an improving Warriors team in round three. Are these two teams converging or just amid early season inconsistency? It’s probably the latter and, while neither team has found its true level yet, there’s little reason to think either will hit top form in this game.
The Bulldogs are down some key forwards but are still capable of generating a power game, creating second phase play and finding space for their outside backs. The Cowboys are lacking some strike out wide without Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi but are quite capable of playing quick and direct through the middle and troubling the Bulldogs’ suspect defence in the middle.
The only area where these teams stand out so far is the quality of their respective kicking games. If it’s wet in Sydney – and rain is forecast – Chad Townsend or ‘super boot’ Matt Burton could be most influential.
Prediction
While games between these teams have historically been high-scoring affairs, the possibility of rain, the likely prominence and quality of kicking and the otherwise patchy form of both teams suggests tries will be at a premium and are more likely to be scored from close range. All of which suggests the Cowboys should sneak home.
Cowboys by 4.
Game information
Kick-off: 6:15pm (AEST)
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
TV: Fox League
Live stream: Kayo Sports
Odds: Bulldogs $1.78; Cowboys $2.05 – odds via PlayUp
Bulldogs
1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Interchange: 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Corey Waddell 16. Franklin Pele 17. Jayden Okunbor
Cowboys
1. Tom Chester 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Brendan Elliot 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Coen Hess 12. Heilum Luki 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Jake Granville 15. Mitchell Dunn 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Riley Price
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Yeah I thought with Val and Chad, the Cowboys were in the driver's seat for GP. But Burton taking a chance was a deserving effort. Great stuff.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
As good as Cleary's was, that was incredible. Completely spur of the moment and he deserved it by rolling the dice 10 seconds earlier. Great to see the Dogs and staff go apeshit on the sidelines too.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Thank God one of our players didn't drop the ball to give them a chance. That is traumatic.
Bloke7
Roar Rookie
Ah, watching Carige's epic series of brain farts in 98 is something I did a lot during the past few years. Cheered me up after a few Barrett coached loss.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
What is the club seeing in goal kicking that the rest of the football world doesn't? Burton is a 3.5 star kicker, Flanagan is a 4.5 one.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Jimmy, the real problem I have with GP is the team that gets the draw at the end of 80 mins and loses by 1 point receives the same amount of competition points as the team that loses by 40 points. Yes we have to draw a line in the sand somewhere & we don't need to reward close losses. But the scoreline at the end of 80 mins will suffice. BTW, I am a doggies supporter & I am happy to take the two points tonight.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
But GP can be a lottery. Refs often put the whistle away and it's really down to some luck, not skill or who deserves. The deserving outdom of a draw after 80 mins is a point each. In semis we do need a method of determining a winner, not comp rounds. How about we avoid potential injury - especially late in a game with tired bodies - and just toss a coin? gets the result you want.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Do you not think GP added something to that game? . A draw is a let down for everyone. Dogs were better in GP and deserved the 2 points .
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Burton was hasty signing on for $750k a year and up until the end of 2027. That will be peanuts in 2 years time for a player of his caliber.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Must agree. After 80 minutes and the scores are equal, it's a draw, one point each.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I can live with it . We had the chance to execute that GP . We didn't. We were at fault . We lost . That's the way it should go.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Not if it costs you a spot in the 8 you won't.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Nah , draws are for Soccer. I am happier to lose than draw. Dogs played the GP better . Took the risk and executed it . No complaints here.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Happy for the end result in the Knights Manly game, nice draw. Happy for teams to get a point. We can do without GP.
Brisguy51
Roar Rookie
Just saw a report big Sam Backo is in hospital after suffering a heart attack. Hope he can show some of the great Qld spirit and recover.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Congrats TB, what a win :)
Phil
Roar Rookie
What a finish. The better team got the spoils and for all the accolades for Matt Burton, for me Reed Mahoney takes out Frank Hyde's best and fairest Seiko award.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I thought the awful bounce from JAC’s kick had blown it for us When Preston dived on it, my 12 year old and I both jumped off the couch and yelled “Where’s Burton! Field goal!” Simultaneously That is some sort of field goal from 30 out, 10 in from touch on the left side for a left footer Gutsy effort from the Dogs. Short staffed anyway, but lost plenty of troops through the night. I thought at 14-6 we were in danger of getting blown away but hung very tough. Some classy touches from Burton a few times in the last 20
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Enjoy mate, suspect you'll remember that finish for a while :happy:
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Congrats Dogs fans, commiserations Cows fans, thanks for a cracker.