St. George Illawarra Dragons
26
Match Complete
North Queensland Cowboys
38
| 80 |  | H. Tabuai-Fidow | ||
| 80 |  | V. Holmes | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 68 | ||
| M. Ravalawa | | 67 | ||
| 53 | | K. Feldt | ||
| 51 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 50 | | H. Luki | ||
| 49 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 47 | | T. Dearden | ||
| 46 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 45 | | B. Hampton | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 40 | ||
| T. Sloan | | 39 | ||
| 30 | | K. Feldt | ||
| J. Sullivan | | 27 | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 25 | ||
| M. Ravalawa | | 23 | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 12 | ||
| 8 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 7 | | R. Robson |
| 5 | Tries | 7 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 5 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Two sides with hefty losing streaks battle in Rockhampton to start Saturday afternoon’s action, with the St George Illawarra Dragons and North Queensland Cowboys out to defy horror recent runs. Tune in to the action from Browne Park with live scores on The Roar from 3pm (AEST).
Ten consecutive losses has seen the Cowboys slump from finals contention to second-last on the ladder. It has been a frustrating first season in charge for Todd Payten, his team leaking more points than any other side in the NRL – yep, even the Bulldogs – to fall even behind state rivals the Broncos.
However, they should be bolstered by the return of captain Jason Taumalolo, though he continues to battle a hand injury; while young gun Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was eased back into first-grade in last week’s loss to the Eels. Kyle Feldt (jaw) and Murray Taulagi (concussion) are also back in the frame, shifting Valentine Holmes to a new role in the centres.
The Dragons would need literally everything feasible to go right from here to sneak into the finals – but let’s face it, the Saints are just about cooked. With six straight losses, about the best they could muster is a drought-snapping victory to close out the year with that winning feeling again – especially given they play the Rabbitohs in the last round.
There were signs of life in their loss to the Roosters last week, but conceding 40 points was never going to result in a positive outcome, and tightening up their defence will be a priority for Anthony Griffin in coming years.
Tyrell Sloan returns to fullback as Matt Dufty is once again on the chopping block; while Freddy Lussick will start on the bench in his first game for the club since being loaned from the Roosters.
Game information
Kick-off: 3pm (AEST)
Venue: Browne Park, Rockhampton
TV: Fox League
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO
Betting: Dragons $1.72, Cowboys $2.12 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Tyrell Sloan, 2. Mat Feagai, 3. Jack Bird, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Talatau Amone, 7. Corey Norman, 8. Blake Lawrie, 9. Jayden Sullivan, 10. Josh McGuire, 11. Billy Burns, 12. Tariq Sims (c), 13. Jack de Belin
Bench/Reserves: 14. Freddy Lussick, 15. Tyrell Fuimaono, 16. Daniel Alvaro, 17. Jackson Ford | 19. Poasa Faamausili, 20. Gerard Beale
North Queensland Cowboys
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Valentine Holmes, 4. Ben Hampton, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Scott Drinkwater, 7. Tom Dearden, 8. Jason Taumalolo (c), 9. Reece Robson, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Ben Condon, 12. Heilum Luki, 13. Reuben Cotter
Bench/Reserves: 14. Jake Granville, 15. Jeremiah Nanai, 16. Mitchell Dunn, 17. Griffin Neame | 18. Tom Gilbert, 19. Daejarn Asi
Rellum
Roar Guru
— COMMENT DELETED —
Rob
Guest
Deardon scored as many as DCE this year in 5 less games. Kid chases and backs up all day and puts his body in front of the big blokes. Be a good half when he gets the kicking going.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
That was your first win in how long ? Come on man, savor it..
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
What a pustule of an afternoon...
Rob
Guest
McGuire hit every Cowboy he could in the head and got penalised once? When he played in a Cowboys jersey he got penalised?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Been a while since he’s seen a win. Can count on us to run a rusty team back into form. It’s what we give to the comp. :silly:
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
— COMMENT DELETED —
3 R M
Guest
A win but we played some good footy gee I hope we sign our two second rowers.Nanai was impressive again. The bench was a weapon today big impact . Better edge defence as well, oh how long a wait. bad luck dragons lads there are some good players from both sides coming through.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Thats very nice of you DP. Hes a good kid who just has some deficiencies in his game. But he's a goer and that will take him a long way. I don't think hes a week in week out proposition yet but he's very young. His best game ever for us by a mile.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
So very pleasing that some succes has finally found the boys at last. It's been a bloody long road, but it gives faith to the fans that where there's life there's still hope.
Danny
Roar Rookie
Corey Norman should have been hooked. What’s he doing in a jersey when he’s not playing footy? Another crap year. Let it end.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Reg Gasnier Johnny Raper Changa Poppa Norm P… sand in the hour glass.
Rob
Guest
Two players lose the ball attempting to off load, 3 shepherds in one movement let go, miss high shot and call nothing shots, ball bounces in ruled out on the full? WTF it’s absolutely ridiculous what the officials think us Cowboys fans can stomach.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I'm happy for Dearden. I'm going to drink myself to oblivion tonight, but happy for young Dearden
Soda
Roar Rookie
I agree, some stuff to look forward to though. Young blood looking good. Will look better with hunt out there and Norman gone. Some of the hits rava put on where good to watch too.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Nanai is a gun RN. Luki will be a big boy when he grows up and Neame is a long term prop for us.. Sun shinning in Townsville??
Rob
Guest
Yeah that’s blatant miss use of the Bunker. Don’t tell me they aren’t deliberately manipulating results?
Phil
Roar Rookie
Not too bad, we won the first half.
Rob
Guest
Lazy or to nice. Maybe he thinks Feldt is quick?
R N
Roar Rookie
Been moving house! Listening on the AM! Great to get a win.... looking forward to watch the Kayo mini, seemed to be a couple of good tries early in the second!