NRLW 2023, Cowboys v Dragons, match preview, analysis, team lists, statistics

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 2 Sep 2023, 02:15 PM

The Cowboys and Dragons meet in Round 7 with both effectively facing must-win scenarios if they are to remain in the hunt for the finals in 2023.

After each suffering close defeats in Round 6, both sides now find themselves four points adrift of the fourth-ranked Raiders and with three games to go probably can’t afford to drop another one.

North Queensland will rue a blown opportunity to pick up a third win in their maiden campaign, after being made to pay for a sluggish start against the previously winless Eels in a 16-12 loss, which saw them stage a comeback in vain with 11 minutes to play.

It was a case of déjà vu for the Dragons, who suffered their second one-point loss of the season last week against the Titans after a final minute field goal from Lauren Brown.

It was the third week in a row Jamie Soward’s side have gone down by a margin of four points or less and came despite fullback Teagan Berry’s spectacular four-try showing.

Missed tackles were again a major issue, with another 39 leaving them as the competition’s worst offenders in that category.

Round 7 - Round 7 - Saturday 2 Sep

Full Time

Cowboys

Dragons

Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Highlights Latest

Team News

Cowboys: No further game day changes after April Ngatupuna was promoted to the starting side and Makenzie Weale went to the bench in a swap 24 hours before kick-off. Lily Peacock has been added to the bench on with Jessikah Reeves dropping out. The absence of Libby Surha (shoulder) forces a reshuffle in the forward pack. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith moves to the edge, China Polata goes to lock and Sera Koroi returns to the interchange.

Dragons: Roxy Murdoch and Madison Mulhall came into the starting pack an hour before kick-off with Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa and Jamilee Bright going to the bench. Taylor Mapusua came in on the wing on Friday and Maddison Weatherall joined the 17. Cortez Te Pou and Kaarla Cowan dropped out of the squad and Macie Carlile went to 18th player. With Keele Browne (leg) out, Shenai Lendill moves to the centres. Renee Targett returns at hooker.

Round 7 - Round 7 - Saturday 2 Sep

Full Time

Cowboys

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca Goldthorp

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Vitalina Naikore

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Margot Vella
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jasmine Peters

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Shenai Lendill
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Shellie Long

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Cheynoah Amone
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Krystal Blackwell

Winger for Dragons is number 21 Taylor Mapusua
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tahlulah Tillett

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Tyla King
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Kirra Dibb

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregor

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Tallisha Harden

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Tara McGrath-West
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Renee Targett
Prop for Cowboys is number 22 April Ngatupuna

Prop for Dragons is number 16 Roxy Murdoch
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Bree Chester

2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Ella Koster
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith

2nd Row for Dragons is number 18 Madison Mulhall
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 China Polata

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Alexis Tauaneai

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie Weale

Interchange for Dragons is number 8 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jetaya Faifua

Interchange for Dragons is number 12 Jamilee Bright
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Sera Koroi

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Zali Hopkins
Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Lily Peacock

Interchange for Dragons is number 22 Maddison Weatherall

Reserves

Replacement for Cowboys is number 24 Mia Middleton
Reserve for Dragons is number 17 Macie Carlile

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Senior Review Official: Belinda Sharpe

Last updated: 8/3/2024 4:21:57 AM

Stat Attack

Both sides have won two of their last five games this season after narrow defeats in Round 6.
Dragons fullback Teagan Berry has scored nine tries in six matches in 2023.
The Dragons are completing at 81 percent for the season while the Cowboys are at 75 percent.