The Cowboys were made to work for a 28-14 win against a brave Bulldogs side in Bundaberg on Sunday afternoon.
Canterbury were staring at a huge upset when they led 14-12 in the 62nd minute, but the class of the second-placed Cowboys shone through in the closing stages.
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Canterbury started the game by presenting the fastest captain’s challenge in NRL history and got them off to a dream start.
North Queensland kicked the game off and the touch judge ruled it bounced, but Braidon Burns said he touched it with his planted foot.
The Dogs challenged and replays proved Burns correct, giving Canterbury a penalty on the halfway line which led to the first try.
Burton made a clearance and Peta Hiku hesitated long enough for Addo-Carr to break through and score in the third minute.
Burton then went on to score when he was too strong from distance near a scrum in the 18th minute.
The Cowboys were rewarded for some sustained pressure when striker Griffin Neame struck from close range in the 31st minute.
North Queensland halfback Chad Townsend made it two tries in three minutes when he got his head down and crossed in the corner.
The Cowboys opened the second half by kicking a penalty to take the lead, but the Bulldogs hit back thanks to Burton’s booming left boot.
Burton caused the back three problems all afternoon and this time his big bomb was latched onto by Jacob Kiraz, who offloaded for Kyle Flanagan to score.
North Queensland were controversially denied a lead in the 58th minute when Val Holmes was adjudged to have struck despite the ball.
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But it mattered little as the Cowboys regained the lead when Luciano Leilua was too strong from close range and reached over his head to score.
Leilua was awarded the try despite appearing to produce a double move in the act of marking.
Cowboys full-back Scott Drinkwater ran a strong line to put the margin beyond a converted try and made it a 76th-minute double.
Here are three of the biggest points from the match.
THE COWBOYS HOLD THEIR NERVES
The Cowboys have shown for the second week in a row that they can stay cool, calm and collected when things don’t go their way.
They went down 10-0 early against the Bulldogs and trailed 14-12 after 63 minutes, but put their foot down in the final 15 minutes to seal the result.
It marked North Queensland’s fourth double-digit comeback this season, the most of any team.
“The good sign is that they’re composed and don’t fold under pressure,” Braith Anasta told Fox League.
“They don’t feel uncomfortable in a tight game, they stay confident and keep doing the job. That’s exactly what you need to get into the final.”
Cooper Cronk praised his defence, while Greg Alexander said recruit Chad Townsend is responsible for keeping his cool every week.
“They’ve shown they can respond under pressure, which is a very good sign in finals football because you can’t win games in finals, it’s how long you can be in competitions and then make a play to win it.” , Cronk. said
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“They had seven counter-attacks but only 16 missed tackles, you defend a game for 80 minutes with 16 missed tackles, it’s very unlikely that the opposition will score.”
“I think that’s Chad Townsend’s influence,” Alexander replied.
“The ability to stay in the game. If they’re not playing great football, it just keeps them in field position and they trust their defense, and their bench was outstanding today.
“They have depth, class and composure to deal with the bad periods of the game.”
DRINKING WATER IS DELIVERED AGAIN
Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater is quickly developing a reputation for getting the game on the line.
Drinkwater is enjoying the best season of his fledgling career and delivers again against the Dogs.
The playmaker scored two late tries to seal the result, making it his second brace in as many weeks.
Drinkwater ran for 122 yards on 10 carries and made three touchdown passes to complement his seven tackle busts.
“Once again a great performance from Scott Drinkwater, it took him a while today but he was in impressive form and got better as the game went on,” Braith Anasta told Fox League.
“He was pretty quiet for a long period but then exploded when the game was in the balance, scored the last two tries and had some classy touches,” replied Cooper Cronk.
Drinkwater revealed the game plan had been to target the dogs in the middle.
“We talked about going through them and tiring out their big guys and getting some quick play,” he said.
“I thought we did pretty well and I just play at the back, it’s an easy job.”
BURTON’S BOMBS
Matt Burton’s bombs are the nightmares of NRL wingers.
The Bulldogs five-eighth showed in Origin just how lethal his left boot is and it was on display again against the Cowboys.
In the 51st minute, Burton launched a towering kick that was latched onto by Jacob Kiraz, who offloaded for Kyle Flanagan to score to give the Dogs the lead.
“Burton’s kick is a weapon,” Brenton Speed told Fox League.
“I wonder if he just starts laughing when he hits them right,” Steve Roach said.
Queensland great Billy Moore called Burton’s bombs the best he has seen in rugby league history.
And it’s not just his bombs, with the stylish five-eighth also bagging a try from a grubber and launching a dropout that traveled nearly 70 meters on the fly.
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