As it happened: Cowboys salute in classic derby; More pain for Dragons

Payne and Pat: The Broncos' forward leaders were immense in the absence of match-winners Walsh and Reynolds. With 30 runs and 333 metres between them, Haas and Carrigan carried the premiers on their backs and almost got them across the line.

Great Scott: Cowboys No.1 Drinkwater racked up 30 runs and tallied 187 metres to go with one try assist, three line break assists and four tackle breaks to go with a try.

Metre eaters: Both sides had 10 players who ran for more than 100 metres with Jaxon Purdue (223m), Tom Chester (257m), Jason Taumalolo (238m) and Tom Mikaele (209m) bringing up a double ton.

Full-time: The Cowboys make it four wins in a row with a 35-31 triumph in an 11-try epic at Suncorp Stadium.

80 min: The short kick-off by Josh Rogers fails to go the 10 metres. The Cowboys have a penalty and they get home in a derby dazzler.

78 min: A stunning try puts the Cowboys in front after Scott Drinkwater gets a high pass and can't shoot for field goal so he runs it and finds Reuben Cotter who offloads for Tom Dearden who goes to Jake Clifford and finally to Heilum Luki to score. Cowboys 35-31

77 min: Scott Drinkwater answers for the Cowboys with a sweetly struck left-foot field goal to tie us up again in a Friday night classic. 31-31

75 min: An ice cool field goal by Tom Duffy from 25 metres out gives the Broncos the lead. Broncos 31-30

72 min: A sensational take by Deine Mariner from a Tom Dearden bomb and he makes 20 metres for good measure after the catch.

71 min: Murray Taulagi is sent for a HIA after copping an accidental knock in the contest with Jesse Arthars to take the bomb. Taulagi is a Category 2 but won't get back on the field as it is inside the last 15 minutes.

70 min: Murray Taulagi taps a bomb down to Scott Drinkwater who grubbers and the ball rolls dead to hand the Broncos a seven-tackle set.

65 min: Tom Dearden delivers the final pass for Tom Chester to score on the right edge. It's now five tries apiece in a feast of attacking footy in front of 45,582 fans at Suncorp. Jake Clifford converts. 30-30.

64 min: Tom Duffy goes to the air, Tom Chester makes an absolute mess of the catch, Brendan Piakura picks up the scraps and dives over but the 'try' is disallowed for a disruptor action by Gehamat Shibasaki on Chester.

62 min: Murray Taulagi comes up with an error and the Cowboys are under the pump again.

60 min: Tom Duffy comes up with a precise pass to Ben Talty who runs a sensational line between Tom Dearden and Heilum Luki to score. Duffy converts. Broncos 30-24.

59 min: Ezra Mam hoists the ball high, Josiah Karapani chases hard and knocks the ball on but Scott Drinkwater is penalised for interference with the bunker saying he stopped competing for the ball.

55 min: Blake Mozer tries to take Jason Taumalolo front-on but cops a head knock and is taken for a HIA. Josh Rogers enters the game in jersey No.22. Mozer failed his HIA.

54 min: A poor kick on the last tackle by Jake Clifford is easily cleaned up by Jesse Arthars.

52 min: The Broncos put the ball down on tackle one from a scrum through Kotoni Staggs and the Cowboys march into the red zone.

49 min: A cut-out pass from Tom Duffy unlocks Josiah Karapani on the left wing and the speedster gets a kick back inside for Ezra Mam to follow through and score. Duffy converts. 24-24

46 min: Tom Dearden goes to the air and Tom Chester taps it back to Heilum Luki who is held up by the Broncos defence just short of the line.

45 min: Cory Paix leaves the field for a HIA and Blake Mozer comes on for his first NRL action since Round 27, 2024. Paix is deemed a Category 1 and is out for the rest of the game.

41 min: Griffin Neame is placed on report for a high tackle on Xavier Willison.

Broncos hang tough: Despite having only 42 per cent of possession and completing six less sets the Broncos showed their premiership qualities to stay in the contest and hit back with a try on the stroke of half-time.

Taumalolo keeps on keeping on: The Cowboys veteran came up with an inspirational stint to start the game, running for 110 metres from eight runs. As he has done for more than a decade Taumalolo laid the foundation for the Cowboys' speed men to thrive.

Half-time: The Cowboys take a six-point lead to the break after a high-octane opening 40 that showcased the superb attacking skills of Scott Drinkwater (17 runs for 106m), Jaxon Purdue (7 runs for 150m) and Jesse Arthars (9 runs for 137m).

40 min: A crucial strike by the Broncos as Pat Carrigan goes to the line and delivers a sublime pass to Jesse Arthars who races away to score. Tom Duffy converts. Cowboys 24-18

39 min: Deine Mariner is taken high and the Broncos get one last shot at points.

35 min: The Cowboys' attack clicks into gear again as Tom Dearden puts Heilum Luki away and the back-rower finds Scott Drinkwater backing up. The fullback races away to score the 57th try of his career. Cowboys 24-12

32 min: A piece of magic from Ezra Mam on the short side as he gets a sublime pass to Josiah Karapani to cross for the 12th try of his career. A poor read by Zac Laybutt who came off his wing and came up empty to open a passage for Karapani. A tough kick for Tom Duffy which he nails. Cowboys 18-12

31 min: A high tackle penalty against Tom Mikaele gives the Broncos their best field position for some time.

27 min: Soni Luke grabs his first try as a Cowboy with a sharp run out of dummy half and a step to leave Xavier Willison in his wake. Jake Clifford converts. Cowboys 18-6

25 min: Kotoni Staggs leaps high to try and take a bomb but he can't control the catch and the Broncos are under the pump again.

24 min: Tom Duffy tries to kick for distance from inside his own half but the ball slews off the side of his boot and goes out on the full to hand the Cowboys good field position.

19 min: Jesse Arthars and Jake Clifford climb to contest a bomb and the ball spills to Murray Taulagi who crosses the line but replays show Clifford had knocked on in the contest.

16 min: Another Cowboys raid ends with Kai O'Donnell butchering a try as he fails to pass with two men unmarked on his outside. The play goes immediately to the right where Zac Laybutt crosses courtesy of a sweet pass from Scott Drinkwater. The conversion from wide out by Jake Clifford gives the Cowboys a six-point lead. Cowboys 12-6

14 min: A 95-metre special from the Cowboys started by Scott Drinkwater who catches a bomb and arcs across field before picking up Jaxon Purdue. The flying centre shows great footwork to evade Tom Duffy and Jesse Arthars and race away to score. Jake Clifford converts. 6-6

12 min: Soni Luke darts out of dummy half and puts in a grubber which rebounds off Cory Paix's leg and the Broncos hooker shows great urgency to dive on the loose ball.

10 min: Cowboys hooker Reed Mahoney leaves the field for a HIA. He fails the HIA and is ruled out for the rest of the night.

10 min: Pat Carrigan is sent to the sin bin after his shoulder makes contact with Tom Chester's head in a tackle.

9 min: Scott Drinkwater gets a neat grubber into the in-goal and Josiah Karapani does brilliantly to beat three Cowboys chasers and make it back into the field of play.

7 min: Brendan Piakura comes up with an error on the first set after the try.

5 min: The Broncos strike first after a dropped ball by Coen Hess hands them field position and stand-in halfback Tom Duffy puts in a grubber for Kotoni Staggs to regather and score. Duffy lands the conversion. Broncos 6-0

Late Mail

Broncos: No further game day changes after coach Michael Maguire confirmed on Thursday that captain Adam Reynolds (adductor) had been ruled out and former Cowboy Thomas Duffy would slot in at halfback. Josh Rogers moves from the reserves to the bench. Blake Mozer takes the No.14 jersey in the absence of Ben Hunt (knee). Jesse Arthars gets the nod in fullback in the absence of Reece Walsh (fractured cheekbone). Hayze Perham is also part of the six-man bench.

Cowboys: Kai O’Donnell is the new man in the pack with Sam McIntyre expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a torn plantar fascia. Braidon Burns suffered an ankle sprain last week and failed to get through captain's run on Thursday. His place will be taken by Zac Laybutt. Coach Todd Payten said the short turnaround had worked against Burns but he would be a certain starter in Round 7. Mason Barber is the final player to drop out 90 minutes before kick-off. Fullback Scott Drinkwater will play his 150th NRL game.

Numbers Game

• The Broncos have won their last six games against the Cowboys.
• The Cowboys have conceded 99 points in their last three games at Suncorp Stadium.
• Broncos fullback Jesse Arthars will make his 100th NRL appearance.
• Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater will play his 150th NRL game.
• Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored 11 tries in his last 12 games against the Cowboys.

 

Dragons v Sea Eagles at WIN Stadium

Tyrell's strong return: Back in the No.1 jersey with Clint Gutherson injured, Tyrell Sloan had a real crack for the Dragons with 24 runs for 188 metres and seven tackle breaks. Sloan was also solid under the high ball.

Turbo too good: A Blues Origin jersey beckons for Tom Trbojevic as he continues a stunning start to the 2026 season. Turbo had 23 runs for 185 metres at WIN Stadium to go with a line break and a try assist. He was ably supported by Reuben Garrick (238 run metres) and Haumole Olakau'atu (181 run metres).

Full-time: That's two in a row for Kieran Foran as Manly coach and six losses in a row for the Dragons to open the season. Manly raced to an early lead and were challenged but they steadied in the final 20 minutes and wrapped up their second win in the space of eight days. 

78 min: Dan Atkinson chips on the last tackle but the kick is poor and Haumole Olakau'atu takes it easily.

77 min: Haumole Olakau'atu surges for the line and attracts four defenders. He loses the ball, Manly challenge, the bunker rules knock on. The Dragons hang on.

76 min: Ethan Bullemor is ruled to have lost the ball in the ruck but Manly challenge the call and the bunker rules a strip by the Dragons.

74 min: The Dragons run the ball on the last but Tyrell Sloan slips over and the play breaks down with the Manly defence not really tested.

72 min: Manly forward Corey Waddell is placed on report for a dangerous tackle.

71 min: Val Holmes loses the ball and the referee rules loose carry. The Dragons challenge the call but come up empty. Manly take over 40 metres out from the Dragons line.

66 min: All class from Tom Trbojevic to put Lehi Hopoate over in the corner with a superb pass that left defenders grasping at thin air. Jamal Fogarty converts. Sea Eagles 28-18

63 min: A golden opportunity for the Dragons to hit back when space opens up on the right but Luciano Leilua goes to the boot and his grubber is wayb too heavy and goes into touch.

59 min: The Dragons go to the air on the last, Lehi Hopoate puts it down, Manly are penalised for an escort. More pressure for Manly to absorb.

55 min: Manly are back in front after Kobe Hetherington powers through Blake Lawrie and Jaydn Su'A to score under the sticks. Jamal Fogarty converts. Sea Eagles 22-18

52 min: Tom Trbojevic takes on the line from close range and tries to get a flick pass away when the defence closes in but Ben Trbojevic can't handle.

50 min: Tolu Koula gets over the line but Setu Tu does a great job to steal the ball one-on-one to deny the try.

45 min: The Dragons sweep to the right where Tyrell Sloan delivers a cut-out pass for Setu Tu who slips over but leaps to his feet and gets across for a try to draw the Dragons level before Val Holmes converts to put the home side in front. Dragons 18-16

43 min: Lehi Hopoate crosses in the corner courtesy of a freakish flick pass by Tolu Koula that is ruled forward.

41 min: Luciano Leilua spills the ball on the fourth tackle in the first set and the Dragons are under pressure early.

Run Reuben run: Manly's flying centre racked up 159 run metres and three tackle breaks as he gave the Dragons' left edge plenty of headaches. Garrick's try straight from the kick-off was an absolute cracker on the back of a clever pass from Jason Saab and blinding speed to leave Tyrell Sloan in his wake.

Half-time: On the back of 53 per cent of possession the Dragons showed plenty of ticker to fight back from 16-0 down to go to the break trailing 16-12. Fullback Tyrell Sloan ran for 82 metres in his comeback game and Blake Lawrie had eight runs for 85 metres off the bench.

40 min: A clever chip over the top from Dan Atkinson gets away from Tom Trbojevic and finishes up with Setu Tu who looks set to grab the Dragons' third try but Trbojevic comes across in cover and manages to knock the ball loose.

36 min: Jacob Liddle scoots out of dummy half from 10 metres out and gets through Simione Lafai and Jake Simpkin to get the ball down. Val Holmes converts. Sea Eagles 16-12.

35 min: Haumole Olakau'atu is placed on report for a high shot and the Dragons go inside the red zone.

32 min: Luciano Leilua takes the quick tap and catches the Manly defence napping to get the Red V on the board with a try from a couple of metres out. Val Holmes converts. Sea Eagles 16-6

31 min: Kyle Flanagan takes on the line and is chopped down just short but the Sea Eagles are penalised for being inside the 10m.

29 min: Moses Suli leaves the field for a HIA and Damien Cook slides to the centres. Manly's Jake Trbojevic also goes off the field for a HIA with a cut under his eye. Trbojevic passes his HIA but is ruled out with his eye closed over and stitches in the cut.

26 min: Kyle Flanagan chooses to run the ball on the last from close range rather than kick. The defence shuts him down and the ball is lost.

22 min: The Dragons get across the line through Moses Suli but the 'try' is disallowed due to an obstruction by Jaydn Su'A in the lead-up.

20 min: Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu leaves the field with a knee injury. Mat Feagai enters the game.

17 min: The Sea Eagles score straight from the kick-off as Jason Saab takes the catch and sends it to Reuben Garrick who streaks away down the right edge to score Manly's third. Jamal Fogarty adds the extras. Sea Eagles 16-0

16 min: The Sea Eagles receive two six-again calls and then swing the ball to the right where Tom Trbojevic steps past Kyle Flanagan and posts his sixth try of the season. Jamal Fogarty converts. Sea Eagles 10-0

14 min: A 40-20 from Jamal Fogarty has Manly in prime field position again.

12 min: Luciano Leilua grubbers on the last tackle and Christian Tuipulotu regathers but is cut down by Reuben Garrick five metres out.

11 min: Another pinpoint bomb from Luke Brooks is well handled by Tyrell Sloan.

7 min: Jamal Fogarty hoists the ball high, Jason Saab flies through the air and taps it back to Reuben Garrick who juggles the ball and scoops it up inches from the turf to score. Fogarty pulls the conversion wide. Sea Eagles 4-0

6 min: A poor last-tackle option by the Dragons sees the ball spill to Luke Brooks who sprints 50 metres to put Manly on the attack.

4 min: An error by Ben Trbojevic in contact lets the Dragons off the hook and a penalty piggybacks them out of their own end.

3 min: A mistake by Setu Tu coming out of his own end puts the Dragons under immediate pressure.

Late Mail

Dragons: Jacob Halangahu drops out 90 minutes before kick-off and is replaced on the six-man bench by Mat Feagai. With fullback Clint Gutherson (hamstring) injured, Tyrell Sloan plays his second NRL game of the season while Setu Tu returns on the wing in place of David Fale (suspended). Kyle Flanagan returns from concussion and shifts to halfback with Dan Atkinson moving to five-eighth. Young playmaker Kade Reed is part of the six-man bench and is in the mix for an NRL debut.

Sea Eagles: Joey Walsh is the last man to come out of the squad on game day. Speedster Jason Saab has served a one-game ban and his return moves Clayton Faulalo to the interchange. Nathan Brown and Josh Feledy dropped out of the squad 24 hours before kick-off and will play NSW Cup on Saturday. Joey Walsh is the last man to come out of the squad on game day.

Numbers Game

• The Dragons have won nine of their last 10 games against the Sea Eagles at WIN Stadium.
• Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic has scored five tries in his last four games.
• The Dragons are aiming to avoid a 10th consecutive loss.
• Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula has scored 11 tries in his last 13 NRL games.
• Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle has scored a try in his last three games against the Sea Eagles.