NRLW 2026, Round 8, Dragons v Cowboys, match preview, team lists, injuries, updates

Dragons v Cowboys: Forwards shuffled, Fui in doubt; Roache boost for backline

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Wed 19 Aug 2026, 08:01 AM

North Queensland's recent resurgence is one to be watched.

The Cowboys produced another encouraging performance in Round 7, beating the Sharks 30-18. Meanwhile, the Dragons enter this Round 8 clash after a 26-10 loss to the Titans.

North Queensland's attack looked sharp and confident, with six tries underlining their growing self-belief. And while St George Illawarra competed strongly in patches in Round 7, Gold Coast's attacking class proved the difference and left them a searching for answers.

For the Dragons, controlling possession and limiting errors will be critical. The Cowboys thrive when given momentum and are beginning to resemble the side many expected earlier in the season.

If North Queensland carries its attacking confidence into Round 8, the Dragons will need to produce one of their best performances of the year to come away with the two competition points.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Saturday 22 Aug

7:15 am

Dragons

Cowboys

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

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Team Lists Get Tickets

Team News

Dragons: Coach Nathan Cross has responded to last week's loss to the Titans with a big reshuffle, bringing in Zali Hopkins at five-eighth, with Taliah Fuimaono reverting to the reserves as she aims to overcome a shoulder injury. In the forward pack, Nita Maynard-Perrin will start at hooker, moving captain Brooke Anderson to lock and shifting Hannah Southwell to prop. Amelia Huakau shifts to the 18th player role. Tori Shipton comes on to the vacant spot on the bench while Keele Browne has been named on the reserves list as she looks to return from a hamstring issue.

Cowboys: Only one change to the team that got the job done against the Sharks last week. Kiwi representative Abigail Roache set to return from a knee injury in the centres in place of Kayla Jackson who made her club debut last week. Only other change sees PNG Orchid Emily Veivers named as 18th player, taking over from Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Saturday 22 Aug

7:15 am

Dragons

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca Goldthorp
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Maria Paseka

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Charlize Lloyd-Phillips
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Shenae Ciesiolka

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail Roache
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tahlia O'Brien

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jayme Millard

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Margot Vella
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Zali Hopkins

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Lydia Turua-Quedley
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kasey Reh

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Rosie Kelly

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Hannah Southwell

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Essay Banu
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Nita Maynard-Perrin

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Alisha Foord
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Ashley Marsters
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Montana Clifford

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Ella Koster

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Bree Chester
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Brooke Anderson

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Makenzie Weale

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Tori Shipton

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Nadia Windleborn
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ahlivia Ingram

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Lily Dick
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Trinity Tauaneai

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Tyra Ekepati

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Tafao Asaua

Reserves

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Amelia Huakau

Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Emily Veivers
Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Lavinia Kitai

Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Tallara Bamblett
Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Arabella McKenzie

Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Lyrech Mara
Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Keele Browne

Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Tayla Curtis
Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Taliah Fuimaono

Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Haylee Hifo

Arabella McKenzie
Keele Browne
Tori Shipton
Zali Hopkins

Abigail Roache
Emily Veivers
Haylee Hifo
Lyrech Mara
Tallara Bamblett
Tayla Curtis

Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell
Kayla Jackson

Match Officials

Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 8/18/2026 7:46:07 AM

Stat Attack

The Dragons are aiming to avoid a club record six straight losses
The Cowboys have won their last two clashes against the Dragons
Dragons fullback Teagan Berry has scored four tries in three games against the Cowboys
Cowboys fullback Fran Goldthorp has scored four tries in three games against the Dragons

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.