Dragons v Cowboys: Forwards shuffled; Roache boost for backline
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.
Match: Dragons v Cowboys
Round 8 -
home Team
Dragons
12th Position
away Team
Cowboys
9th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Dragons: The Dragons will line up 1-17, with no late changes. Zali Hopkins has been named at five-eighth with Taliah Fuimaono sidelined by a shoulder injury. In the forward pack, Nita Maynard-Perrin will start at hooker, seeing captain Brooke Anderson shift to lock and Hannah Southwell to prop. Tori Shipton comes on to the bench while Keele Browne's comeback from a hamstring injury remains on hold after she dropped out of the reserves.
Cowboys: North Queensland are also 1-17, with no late changes. 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. The only other change sees PNG Orchid Emily Veivers named as 18th player, taking over from Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell.
Match: Dragons v Cowboys
Round 8 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan BerryFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca Goldthorp
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Maria PasekaWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Charlize Lloyd-Phillips
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Shenae CiesiolkaCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail Roache
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tahlia O'BrienCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jayme MillardWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Margot Vella
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Zali HopkinsFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Lydia Turua-Quedley
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kasey RehHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Rosie Kelly
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Hannah SouthwellProp for Cowboys is number 8 Essay Banu
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Nita Maynard-PerrinHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Alisha Foord
-
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Ruby-Jean Kennard-EllisProp for Cowboys is number 10 Ashley Marsters
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Montana Clifford2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Ella Koster2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Bree Chester
-
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Brooke AndersonLock for Cowboys is number 13 Makenzie Weale
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Tori ShiptonInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Nadia Windleborn
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ahlivia IngramInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Lily Dick
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Trinity TauaneaiInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Tyra EkepatiInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Tafao Asaua
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Amelia HuakauReplacement for Cowboys is number 18 Emily Veivers
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
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.
