The Dragons crashed back to reality in Round 2, while the Cowboys completed a great escape to remain undefeated through the opening fortnight of the season.
After the high of a comprehensive first-up victory, St George Illawarra were never really in the contest against the Dolphins in a 38-0 drubbing on Sunday, with the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow having a field day at their expense.
Coach Shane Flanagan hinted that changes were a real possibility leading into Round 3, while prop Francis Molo is set to be ruled out unless he can beat a Careless High Tackle charge which saw him sin-binned in the defeat.
North Queensland meanwhile were grateful but not content with a golden point win over the Knights, which saw them trail for much of the match before rallying late to improve to two from two.
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While they won in their most recent visit to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium back in 2022, the Cowboys have tasted victory in just three of 11 games at the venue across their history.
The Dragons are winless against the Cowboys in their past four games.
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Team News
Dragons: After initially being named among the reserves, Ben Murdoch-Masila has been elevated into the starting side at lock, with Tom Eisenhuth moving to the bench. Murdoch-Masila joined the bench on Friday after Jaydn Su'A (quadricep) was ruled out and Raymond Faitala-Mariner was called into the starting side on the edge. Jesse Marschke makes his NRL debut at hooker in place of Jacob Liddle (concussion). Marschke played every game for the North Sydney Bears last year as they made it all the way to the NSW Cup grand final. Hame Sele remains sidelined with a hamstring injury but should be in the frame for selection in Round 4. Christian Tuipulotu is 18th man.
Cowboys: Tom Chester will start in the centres in a late change, with Zac Laybutt dropping out of the side. Tom Mikaele is 18th man. Brack-rower Heilum Luki is set to miss six weeks with an ankle injury so Kulikefu Finefeuiaki joins the starting side and Jack Gosiewski is the new face on the bench. Val Holmes needs eight points to chalk up 1000 points in his NRL career.
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Stat Attack
- The Dragons have won four of their past six games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
- Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa has scored six tries in his past five games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes requires eight points to reach 1,000 career points.
- Dragons captain Ben Hunt has scored a try in his last five games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium