North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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The high-flying Canterbury Bulldogs travel to Townsville for a crucial clash against a North Queensland Cowboys team whose season is hanging by a thread.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
North Queensland Cowboys team news
Origin stars Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson have all been named to back up after the Origin decider. Karl Lawton returns from suspension on the bench, while Murray Taulagi has been listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a knee injury. Forwards Sam McIntyre (calf) and John Bateman remain sidelined.
Squad: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Reuben Cotter 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Harrison Edwards 14. Karl Lawton 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kai O’Donnell 17. Coen Hess 18. Ryan Rivett 19. Temple Kalepo 20. Kaiden Lahrs 21. Dane Aukafolau 22. Murray Taulagi 23. Marly Bitungane 24. Jaxson Paulo
Canterbury Bulldogs team news
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. Kurt Mann and Max King have been named to back up from Origin, with Harry Hayes shifting to the bench, while Bailey Hayward starts at lock and Jake Turpin goes to 18th man. Winger Jacob Kiraz is 18th man for the Blues, but will start for the Bulldogs, while Marcelo Montoya is out injured in a blow for the Dogs. Kurt Morrin and Jack Todd shift to the reserves.
Squad: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Lachlan Galvin 19. Jake Turpin 20. Jaeman Salmon 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Blake Wilson 24. Jethro Rinakama 25. Jack Todd
North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs prediction
The North Queensland Cowboys (12th) are in a form slump, with just one win from their last five starts. They fought hard but ultimately fell 26-20 to the Melbourne Storm in Round 18.
The Canterbury Bulldogs (3rd) lost a 22-18 nail-biter to the Brisbane Broncos in Round 18 after leading 18-0. This was their second loss on the bounce after the two-point loss to Penrith in Round 17.
Cowboys playmaker Scott Drinkwater remains the central figure in their attack, having scored five tries in his last six games. Hooker Reed Mahoney has been the heart of their defensive resolve for the Bulldogs, topping the charts with a massive 650 tackles.
This has historically been a very close contest, with the Bulldogs holding a slender 21-20 advantage over the Cowboys in their 41 meetings. However, North Queensland has won six of their past eight H2H games.
While the Cowboys will be desperate playing in front of their home crowd, the return of the Bulldogs' key attacking weapons, Crichton and Burton, gives them a formidable edge as they look to bounce back into the winner's circle.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs tip: Canterbury Bulldogs to win by 10+ points
