Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 19 clash between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
North Queensland Cowboys Vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville.
Date: Saturday July 12, 7:35pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Robert Derby, 3. Jaxon Purdue, 4. Zac Laybutt, 5. Braidon Burns, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Tom Dearden, 8. Jordan McLean, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Griffin Neame, 11. Reuben Cotter, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Harrison Edwards, 14. Karl Lawton, 15. Thomas Mikaele, 16. Kai O’Donnell, 17. Coen Hess, 18. Ryan Rivett, 19. Temple Kalepo, 20. Kaiden Lahrs, 21. Dane Aukafolau, 22. Murray Taulagi, 23. Marly Bitungane, 24. Jaxson Paulo
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey, 2. Jacob Kiraz, 3. Bronson Xerri, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Enari Tuala, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Toby Sexton, 8. Max King, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Samuel Hughes, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Jacob Preston, 13. Bailey Hayward, 14. Kurt Mann, 15. Harry Hayes, 16. Josh Curran, 17. Lachlan Galvin, 19. Jake Turpin, 20. Jaeman Salmon, 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita, 22. Kurtis Morrin, 23. Blake Wilson, 24. Jethro Rinakama, 25. Jack Todd
Referee: TBA
Bunker: TBA
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
This is a clash between two sides looking to keep their seasons on track – at different ends of the table.
After being in the top two for most of the season, Canterbury-Bankstown are starting to look shaky: consecutive losses to Penrith and Brisbane (giving up an 18-0 lead), back to third behind Canberra and Melbourne, and off-field noise starting to pick up – with Toby Sexton (Catalans Dragons) and Reed Mahoney (North Queensland) both going elsewhere in 2025. As well as general conjecture over the reshuffles caused by Lachlan Galvin’s inclusion.
The Cowboys (12th) have struggled since their four-game winning streak from rounds 4 to 8: just two more wins and a draw and heavy losses to Manly Warringah, Melbourne, The Dolphins, and the Sydney Roosters. And their record at Queensland Country Bank Stadium isn’t as dominant as they’d like: three wins, four losses, and the draw. While they’re still in top eight contention (but their -140 differential could hurt them), they have games against The Dolphins (round 20) and Brisbane (round 26) ahead, before a final round bye.
Though the Cowboys had their 30th anniversary dinner on June 7, this game is the anniversary of their first Australian Rugby League premiership game in 1995.
Both sides have named their Origin players to back up: Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai, and Reece Robson (North Queensland); Stephen Crichton, Max King, Jacob Kiraz, and Kurt Mann (Canterbury). Karl Lawton returns from suspension for the Cowboys. There’s more reshuffling for the Bulldogs, with Matt Burton partnering Toby Sexton in the halves and Galvin back on the bench. Canterbury needs to figure out where Galvin sits in the 17, especially with Sexton leaving next season and Galvin likely to be the starting half.
With all three byes done, the Bulldogs won’t have much rest between now and September. They have a tough final month (NZ Warriors in round 23, the Sydney Roosters in round 24, Melbourne in round 25, and Penrith in round 26) and will need to bank wins against sides outside the top eight, starting in Townsville. And expect Mahoney to have a big game here as he looks to impress his future club.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Bulldogs by 12 points.
Check out our round 19 predictions here.
What’s your prediction? Drop it in the comments below.
Follow Us on Facebook
