The Bulldogs relinquished second spot on the ladder after coughing up an 18-0 lead against the Broncos and they'll be keen to bounce back in Townsville.
Even without their Origin stars the Bulldogs would have expected to go on with the job against a Broncos side missing star forwards Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan and gun fullback Reece Walsh.
The Cowboys dug deep against the Storm but still finished on the wrong side of a six-point loss - their ninth defeat of the season and fourth on home soil.
Todd Payten's men have conceded more points than any other side in 2025 and if they fail to stiffen their defence on Saturday the potent Bulldogs outfit could run riot.
Match: Cowboys v Bulldogs
Round 19 -
home Team
Cowboys
12th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
3rd Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Cowboys: The club's big four of Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson have all been named to back up after the Origin decider and will be monitored. Karl Lawton is back from suspension on the bench while Murray Taulagi has been listed among the reserves as he looks to return from the knee injury that kept him out of the Storm game. Forwards Sam McIntyre (calf) and John Bateman (groin) are sidelined.
Bulldogs: The return of skipper Stephen Crichton from Origin duty sees Matt Burton shift back to five-eighth and Lachlan Galvin go back to the bench. Max King and Kurt Mann have also been named to back up three days after Origin Three so Harry Hayes goes to the bench, Bailey Hayward starts at lock and Jake Turpin goes to 18th man. Winger Jacob Kiraz is 18th man for the Blues on Wednesday night and has been named to line up for the Bulldogs. Kurt Morrin and Jack Todd make way as does Marcelo Montoya.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert DerbyWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon PurdueCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Zac LaybuttCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Braidon BurnsWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari Tuala
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake CliffordFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom DeardenHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Griffin NeameProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Reuben Cotter2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Harrison EdwardsLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Bailey Hayward
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Karl LawtonInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Harry Hayes
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kai O'DonnellInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Josh Curran
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen HessInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Lachlan Galvin
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Ryan RivettReplacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Jake Turpin
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Temple KalepoReserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Jaeman Salmon
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Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Kaiden LahrsReserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Dane AukafolauReserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Kurtis Morrin
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Murray TaulagiReserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Blake Wilson
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 23 Marly BitunganeReserve for Bulldogs is number 24 Jethro Rinakama
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 24 Jaxson PauloReserve for Bulldogs is number 25 Jack Todd
Cowboys Ins
- Dane Aukafolau
- Jaxson Paulo
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Karl Lawton
- Murray Taulagi
- Reece Robson
- Reuben Cotter
- Ryan Rivett
- Tom Dearden
Bulldogs Ins
- Daniel Suluka-Fifita
- Jacob Kiraz
- Jaeman Salmon
- Jethro Rinakama
- Kurt Mann
- Max King
- Stephen Crichton
Cowboys Outs
- John Bateman
- Sam McIntyre
- Thomas Duffy
Bulldogs Ins
- Marcelo Montoya
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won six of their past eight games against the Bulldogs.
- Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz has scored nine tries in his last six games in Queensland.
- The Cowboys have won only one of their past four games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- The Bulldogs have won six from eight away from home this season.
- Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored five tries in his past six games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
