Cowboys v Bulldogs: Origin stars named; Burton back to six
The Bulldogs relinquished second spot on the ladder after coughing up an 18-0 lead against the Broncos and they'll be keen to bounce back in Townsville.
Even without their Origin stars the Bulldogs would have expected to go on with the job against a Broncos side missing star forwards Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan and gun fullback Reece Walsh.
The Cowboys dug deep against the Storm but still finished on the wrong side of a six-point loss - their ninth defeat of the season and fourth on home soil.
Todd Payten's men have conceded more points than any other side in 2025 and if they fail to stiffen their defence on Saturday the potent Bulldogs outfit could run riot.
Match: Cowboys v Bulldogs
Round 19 -
home Team
Cowboys
11th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
3rd Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Cowboys: The club's big four of Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson have all been named to back up after the Origin decider and will be monitored. Karl Lawton is back from suspension on the bench while Murray Taulagi has been listed among the reserves as he looks to return from the knee injury that kept him out of the Storm game. Forwards Sam McIntyre (calf) and John Bateman (groin) are sidelined.
Bulldogs: The return of skipper Stephen Crichton from Origin duty sees Matt Burton shift back to five-eighth and Lachlan Galvin go back to the bench. Max King and Kurt Mann have also been named to back up three days after Origin Three so Harry Hayes goes to the bench, Bailey Hayward starts at lock and Jake Turpin goes to 18th man. Winger Jacob Kiraz is 18th man for the Blues on Wednesday night and has been named to line up for the Bulldogs. Marcelo Montoya is facing six weeks out with a neck injury.
Match: Cowboys v Bulldogs
Round 19 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert DerbyWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Zac LaybuttCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 22 Murray TaulagiCentre for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari Tuala
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Braidon BurnsWinger for Bulldogs is number 24 Jethro Rinakama
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon PurdueFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom DeardenHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Griffin NeameProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Reuben Cotter2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Harrison EdwardsLock for Bulldogs is number 20 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Karl LawtonInterchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Bailey Hayward
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Harry Hayes
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kai O'DonnellInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Josh Curran
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen HessInterchange for Bulldogs is number 22 Kurtis Morrin
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 24 Jaxson PauloReplacement for Bulldogs is number 23 Blake Wilson
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won six of their past eight games against the Bulldogs.
- Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz has scored nine tries in his last six games in Queensland.
- The Cowboys have won only one of their past four games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- The Bulldogs have won six from eight away from home this season.
- Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored five tries in his past six games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
