North Queensland steamrolled over a poor Parramatta outfit to score an easy 42-6 win at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Round 3 last year. Determined to make amends for a disappointing opening-round loss to the Gold Coast in front of their home fans, the Cowboys shot out of the blocks with five first-half tries giving them a 26-0 half-time lead.
It was all too simple for the home side, with Matt Scott barging over to open the scoring after 15 minutes and Ashley Graham pushing his way through three defenders to add their second seven minutes later.
Some feeble defence saw Jason Taumalolo score a try and he busted the Eels open again to set up another one moments later as three quick tries ensured the result was a foregone conclusion by the break.
Parramatta showed some fight in the second half, with Pat O’Hanlon crossing to make it 26-6 and it took 30 minutes for the Cowboys to finally add their sixth try with Kane Linnett strolling over, but again the floodgates opened and two more tries in the final minutes blew out the scoreline to 42-6.
North Queensland dominated across the park, running for a massive 1710 metres to Parramatta’s 1141, enjoying 57 per cent of possession and making nine line-breaks to one.
Centre Linnett was strong for the home side with 167 metres and a try while James Tamou added 155 metres up front.
Matt Keating worked hard for the Eels, making 40 tackles without missing any.
