The Bulldogs bandwagon stuttered last round, with Manly halting their five-game winning streak and they will be keen to get back on track when they host the Cowboys.
Despite starting well, they were overtaken by the Sea Eagles who made them pay for their errors.
While they came away winners, North Queensland were pushed hard against a Storm side that had rested 11 of their regulars, but were eventually guided to victory by the by the playmaking skills of Tom Dearden and Reece Robson.
Departing winger and the club’s greatest try scorer Kyle Feldt also scored a double to help the side to a 38-30 win.
This week, Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton will return for the match after serving a one-match suspension, but they will be without centre Bronson Xerri, who has accepted one match ban with an early guilty plea for a Dangerous Contact charge.
With both sides playing finals this year, they will be be keen to head into the opening week with forward momentum behind them, while a win will also lock in hosting rights for the opening week of finals football.
Match: Bulldogs v Cowboys
Round 27 -
home Team
Bulldogs
5th Position
away Team
Cowboys
6th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have won seven of their past eight games at Accor Stadium.
- The Cowboys have won six of their past eight games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have scored at least 22 points in six consecutive games.
- Cowboys centre Valentine Homes has scored 44 points in his past two games.
- Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 11 tries in 11 games against the Cowboys.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,