The North Queensland Cowboys have catapulted into the top four of the NRL after a crushing win over the Parramatta Eels.
It’s been a long time since the Cowboys were viewed as a genuine contender – even their charmed run to the 2017 grand final was considered more fairy tale than the stuff of substance.
But this? This might be different.
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They now boast the second-best defensive record in the NRL through eight games, and a healthy 5-3 record, to sit third on the ladder.
“It’s probably the best win I’ve been a part of since I’ve been up here, just how ruthless we were against a top-four team,” Scott Drinkwater said afterwards.
“Our defence in that first 20, 25 was something you haven’t seen from us in a couple of years.
“It’s awesome the benefits we’re getting from our pre-season are showing on the field – it made every hot session we had in pre-season worth it tonight.”
Valentine Holmes nailed an impressive field goal on the halftime siren to give them a 15-0 lead that was never threatened.
Parramatta got their only try just after an hour to make it 19-4 before a three-try blitz in the final six minutes blew the scoreline out to its final state.
The Eels had plenty of chances to score, especially in the opening stages of the match, but the North Queensland defence held firm.
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Coach Todd Payten said it was a combination of attitude, luck with injuries, and repetition at training that had made them so resolute.
“I always believed after the first couple of rounds, that we could be a good team,” he said.
“There were some tough moments last year and we made some really long-term decisions at the backend of last year which is starting to bear fruit now.”
It’s not just sticking solid with Tom Dearden despite him failing to set the world on fire in 2021, nor is it the veteran acquisition of Chad Townsend, or the return of Drinkwater to first grade.
It’s all of that and plenty more.
“We’ve probably had a good month, to be honest,” Townsend said.
“We’ve been in every game bar one [this year]. The combinations of our team, the cohesion, the expectations of what our coaches have driven into us, is really starting to hit home.”
The ex-Sharks half was quick to pour water on title expectations, however.
“We don’t want to get too carried away with ourselves at the moment – it’s a long season and it’s a cliche, but we’re taking it one week at it a time.”