It's coming home: Cowboys rout Bulldogs to lock in Townsville final

The North Queensland Cowboys locked in a home final with a dominant 44-6 win over the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Saturday night.

Arriving in Sydney level on the ladder with the Dogs on 34 points, the Cowboys produced a magnificent first half to lead 20-0 at the break to set up the victory that secures fifth place.

First points came in the 13th minute from a Val Holmes penalty goal after Jake Clifford was hit late by Viliame Kikau after passing the ball.

Six minutes later the Cowboys made it 8-0 when Kyle Feldt crossed in the corner he made famous in the closing seconds of the 2015 grand final.

Edge back-rower Heilum Luki was next to cross in the 29th minute when Reece Robson and Tom Dearden combined on the short side.

On the stroke of half-time it was fullback Scott Drinkwater scoring courtesy of a brilliant inside ball from Jeremiah Nanai. The conversion from Holmes gave Todd Payten's men a 20-0 lead.

With 24 minutes to go, Feldt savoured a special moment when he crossed for the 150 try of his career and Holmes added the extras to make it 26-0.

A solo kick and chase try by Holmes on the hour mark rubbed further salt in the Bulldogs' wounds as the Cowboys put the icing on their 15th win of the season.

The Bulldogs opened their account shortly after when Toby Sexton launched a kick and came up with the loose ball to plant it down for a 32-6 scoreline.

A late double to Murray Taulagi took the Cowboys beyond the 40-point mark for sixth time this season as they turn their attention to a massive clash at Queensland Country Bank Stadium next weekend.