The Dragons crashed back to reality in Round 2, while the Cowboys completed a great escape to remain undefeated through the opening fortnight of the season.
After the high of a comprehensive first-up victory, St George Illawarra were never really in the contest against the Dolphins in a 38-0 drubbing on Sunday, with the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow having a field day at their expense.
Coach Shane Flanagan hinted that changes were a real possibility leading into Round 3, while prop Francis Molo is set to be ruled out unless he can beat a Careless High Tackle charge which saw him sin-binned in the defeat.
North Queensland meanwhile were grateful but not content with a golden point win over the Knights, which saw them trail for much of the match before rallying late to improve to two from two.
SportsBet Betting Preview - Dragons v Cowboys
While they won in their most recent visit to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium back in 2022, the Cowboys have tasted victory in just three of 11 games at the venue across their history.
The Dragons are winless against the Cowboys in their past four games.
Match: Dragons v Cowboys
Round 3 -
home Team
Dragons
14th Position
away Team
Cowboys
1st Position
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Dragons: After initially being named among the reserves, Ben Murdoch-Masila has been elevated into the starting side at lock, with Tom Eisenhuth moving to the bench. Murdoch-Masila joined the bench on Friday after Jaydn Su'A (quadricep) was ruled out and Raymond Faitala-Mariner was called into the starting side on the edge. Jesse Marschke makes his NRL debut at hooker in place of Jacob Liddle (concussion). Marschke played every game for the North Sydney Bears last year as they made it all the way to the NSW Cup grand final. Hame Sele remains sidelined with a hamstring injury but should be in the frame for selection in Round 4. Christian Tuipulotu is 18th man.
Cowboys: Tom Chester will start in the centres in a late change, with Zac Laybutt dropping out of the side. Tom Mikaele is 18th man. Brack-rower Heilum Luki is set to miss six weeks with an ankle injury so Kulikefu Finefeuiaki joins the starting side and Jack Gosiewski is the new face on the bench. Val Holmes needs eight points to chalk up 1000 points in his NRL career.
Match: Dragons v Cowboys
Round 3 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell SloanFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Zac LomaxWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese SuliCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Jack BirdCentre for Cowboys is number 18 Tom Chester
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele RavalawaWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle FlanaganFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben HuntHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Jack De BelinProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jesse MarschkeHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake LawrieProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 16 Raymond Faitala-Mariner2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Dragons is number 19 Ben Murdoch-MasilaLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 13 Tom EisenhuthInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Connor MuhleisenInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Michael MoloInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Sam McIntyre
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Viliami FifitaInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Jack Gosiewski
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Christian TuipulotuReplacement for Cowboys is number 19 Thomas Mikaele
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dragons have won four of their past six games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
- Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa has scored six tries in his past five games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes requires eight points to reach 1,000 career points.
- Dragons captain Ben Hunt has scored a try in his last five games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
