North Queensland Cowboys vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Two sides with flickering finals hopes meet on Friday when the North Queensland Cowboys host the St George Illawarra Dragons.
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
Murray Taulagi will spend further time on the sideline after suffering a hamstring injury. In-form Braidon Burns shifts to the wing while Jaxon Purdue has been named at centre. Tom Duffy will play alongside Tom Dearden in the halves. Tom Mikaele has added some punch to the Cowboys’ pack in recent weeks, but he is out with a knee injury. Harrison Edwards has been named at prop while John Bateman returns after recovering from a groin injury.
Squad: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Braidon Burns 6. Thomas Duffy 7. Tom Dearden 8. Harrison Edwards 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Kaiden Lahrs 16. Kai O’Donnell 17. Coen Hess 18. Jaxson Paulo 19. Nicholas Lenaz 20. Temple Kalepo 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Dane Aukafolau
St. George Illawarra Dragons team news
Rising star Sione Finau will miss time because of a shoulder injury in a cruel blow. His injury opens the door for Mathew Feagai, who will start in the centres with Corey Allan shifting out to a flank.
Squad: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Corey Allan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Michael Molo 18. Nicholas Tsougranis 19. Ben Murdoch-Masila 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 22. Jacob Halangahu
North Queensland Cowboys vs St. George Illawarra Dragons prediction
The North Queensland Cowboys (13th) are in a worrying form slump, having managed just a single victory in their past seven games. Their defensive frailties were brutally exposed in a 43-24 drubbing by the Dolphins in Round 20, and they have conceded a league-high 531 points this season.
The St George Illawarra Dragons (11th) have become the masters of the close loss. Their 20-18 defeat to the Canterbury Bulldogs last week was their sixth loss by a margin of six points or fewer in 2025.
Cowboys halfback Scott Drinkwater has scored four tries in four games against the Dragons. Look for him to run late in the match against tiring middle forwards.
Dragons hooker Damien Cook is a workhorse in the middle, ranking among the league leaders with 666 tackles this season. His partnership with fullback Clint Gutherson could prove formidable against a team leaking points at a rapid rate.
The head-to-head record is close, with the Cowboys winning 22 of their 39 meetings, including the last five matches.
With both teams desperate for a win to stay in finals contention, this promises to be a hard-fought contest. The Cowboys' home-ground advantage could be the deciding factor in a high scoring match
North Queensland Cowboys vs St. George Illawarra Dragons tip: Over 47.5 total match points
