The Cowboys grinded their way to a 28-22 victory over the Rabbitohs in Magic Round to break a five-game losing streak.
Both sides arrived at Suncorp Stadium desperate to turn their season around and Soth Sydney fought until the very end but North Queensland fought and scrapped their way to post an important two-points.
The Cowboys' spine stamped their authority early with some slick hands from Tom Dearden, Chad Townsend and Scott Drinkwater opening up an opportunity for Viliami Vailea to cross in the right corner for a 4-0 lead.
Viliami Vailea Try
North Queensland extended their lead just five minutes later with returning winger Murray Taulagi powering through defenders before finding Dearden inside to stretch their lead 10-0.
The Bunnies then made their way up field and star fullback Latrell Mitchell got his side on thee board after picking up a loose ball in close range before carrying four Cowboys over the line to score.
Mitchell came up with another big play, taking on the line before sending a sweet pass over for Alex Johnston to score his 189th NRL try.
With less than three minutes left in the half, hooker Reece Robson gave his side a chance to steal the lead before the break after splitting the Bunnies up the middle and taking the ball downfield.
Braidon Burns 1st Try
And after earning two repeat sets, a cutout Drinkwater pass sent club debutant Braidon Burns over to score against his former club and hand his side into the sheds with a 16-12 lead at the break.
The Cowboys extended their lead early into the second half with a crafty offload from Jeremiah Nanai setting up Burns for a double in the right corner.
With 15 minutes to play five-eighth Cody Walker stood up for South Sydney, stepping on the inside of Nanai to dart over from close range and bring his side back into the game 18-22.
Tom Dearden 1st Try
Come the 70th minute and Dearden muscled up to give his side some breathing room, busting through two would-be tacklers to crash over for a 28-18 lead.
Holmes missed the conversion but a high shot which put Rabbitohs halfback Dion Teaupa in the bin handed the centre a penalty shot from in front.
South Sydney hooker Damien Cook then darted his way through the line to reduce the deficit 28-22 and despite losing Dearden in the final minute to the sin bin, the Cowboys hung on to post their fifth win for the season.
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Match Snapshot
- Cowboys five-eighth Tom Dearden was sent to the sin bin in the 79th minute for a professional foul.
- 50, 708 fans filled out Suncorp Stadium for the final match of Saturday's Magic Round clashes.
- Cowboys hooker Reece Robson ran for 127 metres out of dummy half and made 44 tackles in an all-round performance.
- Rabbitohs fill-in halfback Dion Teaupa was sent to the sin bin and placed on report for a high shot on Tom Dearden.
Dearden sent to the Sin Bin
- Braidon Burns had a day out on the right edge after being called up to replace Kyle Feldt. The former South Sydney utility scored two tries and ran for 173 mates in his club debut.
- Rabbitohs utility Tallis Duncan was a shining light for the losing side with 187 run metres and 22 tackles in a 42-minute stint off the bench.
- The Rabbitohs completed 34 of 41 sets at 82 per cent while the Cowboys were 26 of 36 at 72 per cent.
- South Sydney centre Jack Wighton made his 250th NRL appearance.
Play of the Game
Called in for his Cowboys debut after joining the Queensland club less than two weeks ago, Braidon Burns made a big statement against his former club with a try either side of half-time. It was this crafty play which involved centre Valentine Holmes and crafty backrower Jermiah Nanai that proved vital for Todd Payten's side, stretching their lead to 10 after the break.
Braidon Burns 2nd Try
What They Said
"It was a pretty close game, they had their moments, we had a few of our moments as well and at the end of the day they came up with their plays and we didn't. I was happy that we look to be getting closer, it was another step in the right direction for us. I loved our effort today, young (Jacob) Gagai chasing back there and the first half we had blokes turning up everywhere to stop tries so that was pleasing. " - Rabbitohs interim coach Ben Hornby
Rabbitohs: Round 11
"It was ugly. We played some handy footy at the start and played really patient to get to a 12-0 lead but we invited them back with some poor decisions and that was the same in the second half so we just had to scrap and scrape. When you lose more than three on the trot, the first one is always the hardest to get so don't get me wrong I'm happy. I've been consumed by the job more so over the last two weeks than I ever have before. Everyone can take a breath now." - Cowboys coach Todd Payten
Cowboys: Round 11
What's Next
Both sides return home in Round 12 with the Rabbitohs hosting the Eels at Accor while the Cowboys come up against the Wests Tigers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.