Join us in congratulating the North Queensland Cowboys on a historic first!! At the same time, they captured their first-ever win in Western Australia, another monumental accomplishment in a club’s early trajectory. In a tightly contested match against the Canberra Raiders, the Cowboys improved their season record to 3-3, showcasing a potential that could make them formidable contenders as the season progresses. The match played out at Optus Stadium in Perth, reflecting the official attendance of 31,347. This turnout was dramatically less than the past years’ IPAA attendance numbers.
Both teams displayed amazing spirit on the pitch. It did not take long for the Cowboys to pick up the pace and settle into a groove. The game served as an example of the way the Cowboys’ backline, spearheaded by Gray, made every attempt to test their opposition. Meanwhile, Scott Drinkwater shone brightly despite facing physical challenges, including a high tackle from Sean Keppie.
Cowboys’ Strong Performance
The Cowboys opened their round of 16 match with fire, taking an up-tempo, aggressive, attacking style that rewarded them almost immediately. They just did an excellent job of getting completions on their sets and making the Raiders defend against the clock in their own end.
“We just got into our sets and kept making them come out of their own end…sometimes you just have to win those ugly games and happy to get the two,” – Scott Drinkwater
Drinkwater’s smart leadership on the pitch was clear as he danced around dangerous tackles while firing up his teammates. He faced a notable hit from Raiders player Sean Keppie but continued to contribute significantly to his team’s offensive efforts.
Once again, the Cowboys showed they know how to take advantage when the door opens. Jaxon Purdue made an impactful play by kicking the ball behind the Raiders’ defensive line for Sam McIntyre, who skillfully surged through for a touchdown. This decision deepened the Cowboys’ momentum and proved just how sharp their strategy was.
Competitive Gameplay and Key Moments
As might be expected, the match required several key plays to determine the final result. There are few better tests than going up against the Raiders’ Josh Brown. Brown made an explosive turn of speed and scored in the right corner. Despite this dazzling effort, the would-be converter hit the upright, as both sides remained knotted up at 10 points a side.
The Raiders had a perfect response with some smart kicking plays of their own, while Tom Starling was always threatening to make things happen from dummy half. He was met with fierce opposition from Cowboys half Tom Dearden. A brilliant tackle from Dearden forced a Rabbitohs handling mistake. This mistake gave the Cowboys an opportunity to get the ball back and continue their 2nd quarter blitzing of the Raiders.
When the tide turned back in favor of the Cowboys, they made the most of every chance given to them. The unity of their defensive unit was painfully evident as they combined to stop Raider attacks time and again.
Attendance Trends and Future Matches
Interestingly, even with such an exciting match up, this year’s attendance was 30 percent lower compared to past years. Supporters took to social media to voice frustration at the smaller crowds, which mirrored what was becoming a crippling trend on Perth’s sporting calendar. The crowd figure of 31,347 for this double-header illustrates a stark contrast to previous seasons, raising questions about engagement levels and interest in future matches.
The Dolphins and Knights will be preparing to make their last trip to the smaller rectangular ground in round 16. That’s an incredible opportunity for them to engage with their hardcore fanbases in an intimate and exciting setting. We look forward to the future games bringing in bigger audiences. Our collective aim is to restore the lost passion for rugby league throughout Western Australia.
