Finals are fast becoming an elusive dream for the Cowboys and Dragons as they prepare to square off in Townsville in Round 21.
The Cowboys have won just one of their past seven matches, their only victory in that stretch coming over the last-placed Titans.
The Dragons, meanwhile, have won one of their past six and last weekend continued a season of narrow losses when they were nailed late by the Bulldogs in a 20-18 loss.
Shane Flanagan's men have now suffered six defeats by six points or less in 2025, leaving them to rue what might have been as they stare down the barrel of missing the finals for a seventh straight year.
Match: Cowboys v Dragons
Round 21 -
home Team
Cowboys
13th Position
away Team
Dragons
11th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Cowboys: The loss of Murray Taulagi (hamstring) pushes Braidon Burns out to the wing while Jaxon Purdue returns to the centres and Thomas Duffy comes in at five-eighth. Robert Derby has been recalled on the other wing so Jaxson Paulo makes way. In the pack, John Bateman (groin) is back so Harrison Edwards pushes up to prop to replace Thomas Mikaele (knee).
Dragons: Just the one change for Shane Flanagan with the shoulder injury to Sione Finau pushing Corey Allan out to the wing and bringing Mat Feagai into the centres for just his third game of the season.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert DerbyWinger for Dragons is number 2 Tyrell Sloan
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon PurdueCentre for Dragons is number 3 Moses Suli
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Zac LaybuttCentre for Dragons is number 4 Mathew Feagai
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Braidon BurnsWinger for Dragons is number 5 Corey Allan
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Thomas DuffyFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Lyhkan King-Togia
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom DeardenHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Harrison EdwardsProp for Dragons is number 8 Emre Guler
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Griffin NeameProp for Dragons is number 10 David Klemmer
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Karl LawtonInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Kaiden LahrsInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Blake Lawrie
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kai O'DonnellInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Hamish Stewart
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen HessInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Michael Molo
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Jaxson PauloReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Nick Tsougranis
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Nicholas LenazReserve for Dragons is number 19 Ben Murdoch-Masila
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Temple KalepoReserve for Dragons is number 20 Lachlan Ilias
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Marly BitunganeReserve for Dragons is number 21 Loko Pasifiki Tonga
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Dane AukafolauReserve for Dragons is number 22 Jacob Halangahu
Cowboys Ins
- Dane Aukafolau
- John Bateman
- Marly Bitungane
- Nicholas Lenaz
- Temple Kalepo
- Thomas Duffy
Dragons Ins
- Ben Murdoch-Masila
- Jacob Halangahu
- Lachlan Ilias
- Loko Pasifiki Tonga
- Mathew Feagai
Cowboys Outs
- Murray Taulagi
- Thomas Mikaele
Dragons Ins
- Sione Finau
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won their last five games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have won only three of their past 15 games at Queensland venues.
- The Cowboys have lost four of their past five games at home.
- Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan has scored four tries in his past three games.
- Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored four tries in his last four games against the Dragons.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
