North Queensland fire opening salvo at dottering Dolphins

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Dolphins v North Queensland Cowboys

The Cowboys began 2024 in the best possible way, with a 43-18 thumping of a Dolphins side that couldn't get out of their own way.

The Cowboys struck first just three minutes into the match, when Zac Laybutt made a line break and dummied Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow out of his boots to grab a four pointer.

The Dolphins struck back almost immediately with a try through Tom Flegler, but that was cancelled out almost immediately with a try from Tom Dearden to restore the lead for the Cowboys.

Both teams would settle for a little while before Jeremiah Nanai crossed in the 25th minute, closely followed by tries to Kyle Feldt, Josh Kerr and Murray Taulagi in a frantic 10 minute period to blow the score out to 30-12. Chad Townsend then knocked over a field goal on the final play of the first half to establish a 31-12 halftime lead.

The Dolphins started the second half well but were unable to capitalise, and the Cowboys soon crossed when Heilum Luki pounced on a Tabuai-Fidow error. From there both sides settled, with Reuben Cotter denied a try in the 60th minute.

A controversial penalty try to Zac Laybutt saw the Cowboys breach 40 points, before an attacking kick by the Cowboys backfired when Tabuai-Fidow skipped into space before finding Niu and then Bostock for the Dolphins' third. Kyle Feldt would be denied a try on the siren after dropping the ball over the goal line.

It was a statement win for the Cowboys, who displayed a much more aggressive mentality than they had in 2023 as they look to return to the finals. The Dolphins will need to do some soul searching heading into Round 2, made tougher with a suspected dislocated knee cap to Connoly Lemelemu.