North Queensland Cowboys v St George Illawarra Dragons
Eels shock the Broncos with upset win at Suncorp Stadium
3 hours ago | Sam Bourke
Cowboys v Dragons preview
Desperation day for top eight hopefuls
Do-or-die stakes await the North Queensland Cowboys and St George Illawarra Dragons when the two struggling sides meet in a season-defining clash on Friday evening.
Both teams remain mathematical hopes of playing finals football, despite sitting outside the top eight respectively, with only seven rounds remaining. Victory on Friday night will keep the dream of September alive, while defeat will make it nearly impossible as the gap between top eight contenders and pretenders becomes clearer.
Enduring a wretched run with six losses from their past seven matches, the North Queensland Cowboys will be desperate to reverse recent results through improved defensive resilience.
Going down to the Dolphins 43-24 last Thursday in a performance that regularly exposed the frailties of their defence, coach Todd Payten has responded by recalling Thomas Duffy in the halves with Jaxon Purdue shifting into the backline. John Bateman will also make a welcome addition after missing the past fortnight with a groin injury.
Sitting in 13th position - seven points adrift of the top eight - the Cowboys have conceded close to 35 points in their past seven matches while managing just 15 of their own in response.
The Cowboys have won their past five clashes against the Dragons, scoring at least 30 points in each of the victories.
Coming off yet another narrow defeat in their most recent performance, the St George Illawarra Dragons will be hoping the football gods smile favourably on Friday night.
Conceding a last-gasp try to go down to the Bulldogs 20-18 last Saturday night, coach Shane Flanagan has recalled Mat Feagai in place of Sione Finau in an otherwise unchanged squad.
The joint venture - currently ranked 11th on the premiership ladder - hold a poor record in Townsville with one win from four appearances at new stadium, while their overall record in North Queensland stands at a paltry four wins from 16 visits.
Last week's defeat was the eighth time the Dragons have lost by less than eight points this season; no other side has suffered as many narrow losses with the next closest being the Roosters, Tigers and Rabbitohs (five losses by less than eight points).
Last meeting: Round 3 2024 - Dragons 24 Cowboys 46
Who to watch: Having burst onto the scene as one of the most destructive edge forwards in the league, the Cowboys will be looking for Jeremiah Nanai to deliver his attacking best on Friday evening. Enduring a turbulent season with an early stint in reserve grade before adding a further three Maroons jerseys to his collection, the 22-year-old Australian and Samoan dual representative has been emblematic of his side's woes with point-scoring prowess offset by poor defensive reads. Set to return to his favoured left edge position after accommodating a forward reshuffle in recent weeks, Nanai's ability to turn half chances into points could prove decisive as the Cowboys strive to revive their season.
As the only remaining member of the last Dragons' side to defeat the Cowboys in Townsville, Blake Lawrie will be hoping to wind back the clock on Friday evening. Playing predominantly off the bench this season, averaging 80 metres and 21 tackles in just under half an hour of game time each week, the 28-year-old front-rower remains an important member of a developing squad given his experience. Contracted until the end of next season, look for Lawrie to give a good account of himself as the Dragons strive to keep their season alive.
Favourite: The Cowboys' home ground advantage - coupled with the Dragons' poor record in Townsville - is expected to be a decisive factor on Friday night.
My tip: For as spirited as the Dragons have been without getting results indicative of their effort, the attacking potential of the Cowboys should keep the home side in the top eight race for at least another week. Cowboys by 14.
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Braidon Burns 6. Thomas Duffy 7. Tom Dearden 8. Harrison Edwards 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Kaiden Lahrs 16. Kai O'Donnell 17. Coen Hess 18. Jaxson Paulo
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Corey Allan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 15. Blake Lawrie 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 8. Emre Guler 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Michael Molo 18. Nicholas Tsougranis
Referees: Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: Tyson Brough, Jarrod Cole; Video Referees: Kasey Badger;