The Bulldogs held on for a thrilling 12-8 victory over the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night, outlasting the North Queenslanders to narrowly win in a ruthless arm-wrestle.

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It was the Cowboys’ best defensive effort of the season, keeping a team to just two tries for the first time in 2025, but the Bulldogs’ defence was even better.

The Cowboys broke 56 tackles and created five linebreaks to two, however the Canterbury-Bankstown defence always found a way to scramble for each other and make the all-important play – none better than Viliame Kikau dislodging the ball as Scott Drinkwater dove over in the second half.

North Queensland was strong through the opening 40 minutes but back-to-back Bulldogs tries in the dying stages of the first half gave Canterbury-Bankstown an unlikely 12-8 lead at the break.

North Queensland’s halves combined beautifully to open up space on both edges, working in tandem to create the first try with some outstanding interplay to spread the ball coast-to-coast and back again for Zac Laybutt.

Neither team could find the chalk after the break as the game devolved into a brutal grind, but the Cowboys looked more likely as they battered the Bulldogs line – but couldn’t create the opportunities to retake the lead.

BURTON GALVANISED IN NO.6

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo sensationally dropped Lachlan Galvin just before kick-off on Saturday night, opting against using the 19-year-old half against the Cowboys with Jaeman Salmon coming back into the team from an ankle fracture.

The attack flowed well without the teenage talent, and five-eighth Matt Burton was a shining light for the Bulldogs on both edges of the field and with his unmatched kicking game.

Burton set up his team’s first try with a great grubber for Jacob Preston, finishing the game with a try assist, linebreak assist, two broken tackles and 419 kicking metres

The talented playmaker left the field for a HIA halfway through the second half after he was rocked attempting to tackle Griffin Neame, returning 15 minutes later after passing the assessment.

TINKERING TODD

Cowboys coach Todd Payten made a number of positional changes for the game, with Maroons star Tom Dearden switching to the right edge of the field.

It was the first time Dearden has played on the right this season, switching places with Jaxon Purdue who has played on the right in each of his starts at five-eighth this year.

Jeremiah Nanai was also moved back to his familiar right edge after Payten switched the Queensland representative to the left in 2025, with Reuben Cotter playing on the left edge in his first NRL start in the No.11 jersey.

Murray Taulagi was named in the centres just before kick-off, but played on the left wing outside Braidon Burns and Purdue.

HALFTIME HORROR

The Cowboys almost managed to keep the Bulldogs scoreless for the entire first half, but a trademark lapse of concentration just before the break allowed the visitors to score back-to-back tries and head into the sheds leading 12-8

First Toby Sexton and Burton combined to put Jacob Preston over on the right edge three minutes out from halftime.

The Bulldogs scored again on the final play of the half through debutant Jethro Rinakama after Cowboys centre Braidon Burns was taken off the field by the independent doctor a minute after staying down from what appeared to be a high tackle.

Burns was sent to the sideline for an HIA despite officials clearing Josh Curran of any foul play and the Bulldogs immediately made the Cowboys pay.

Without a back on the pine, Karl Lawton came onto the field to play at centre and his was burnt for pace on the outside, opening the door for 19-year-old Rinakama to score his first career try.

The five minutes before halftime is becoming a real issue for the men from North Queensland, and it needs to be addressed quickly if the Cowboys are to have any hope of making finals.

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MATCH PREVIEW

The Cowboys have received a huge boost with their four Origin stars backing up after Wednesday’s series decider, while the Bulldogs are without key players.

Lachlan Galvin has been dropped with Jaeman Salmon returning at lock and Kurtis Morrin joining the bench.

The Bulldogs explained the call: “Galvin not playing is a tactical decision – needed another forward on the bench as cover with Max King backing up from Origin and Jaeman Salmon returning from injury,” the Bulldogs said.

Murray Taulagi returns at centre with Jaxson Purdue shifting to five-eighth and Jake Clifford ruled out with injury.

Stephen Crichton and Kurt Mann have been given a rest by Cameron Ciraldo, which sees young gun Jethro Rinakama make his NRL debut.

Max King will back up after his time with the Blues, with Lachlan Galvin named on the bench after he played in the halves in his last outing.

After winning the Wally Lewis Medal, Tom Dearden has been named in the halves alongside Murray Taulagi, who will likely swap in game with young gun Jaxon Purdue.