The Cowboys have demolished the Warriors 48-4 in a comprehensive showing on home soil at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
It took the Cowboys just six minute to strike first, before scoring again three minutes later.
The Warriors hit back with an important try just six minutes before half time to keep themselves in the game.
But that was the only joy they had all night with the Cowboys running in two tries in two minutes before the half-time break before scoring two more tries in the first seven minutes of the second half.
DEARDEN PROVES DOUBTERS WRONG
Tom Dearden had a night to remember, getting his first career double, while his halves partner Chad Townsend set up three tries and got one of his own to put the icing on top of the win.
NANAI FEEDING FRENZY LOOMS
In just over two months’ time, Cowboys young gun Jeremiah Nanai will be free to field offers from rivals and we know one club that’s interested — the Dragons.
Nanai, who crossed for his 17th try of the season on Friday night, inked a one-year extension with the Cowboys in April. Since then he’s become an Origin player and one of the Cowboys’ most lethal players.
Speaking in commentary for Fox League, Shane Flanagan, who is a list management consultant with the Dragons, said the club would absolutely be interested in the 19-year-old.
“We’ll be calling his name for a long time, he’s going to be scoring a lot more tries and he’s going to be around for a long time. He’s a super player… and yes we would like him at the Dragons,” Flanagan said after Nanai’s try.
Nanai sniffed a gap during the first half against the Warriors and slipped through to score. Former Cowboy and Fox League sideline reporter Brent Tate highlighted how Nanai’s game has evolved this season.
“How outstanding has this young man been in 2022? At the start of the season he was scoring a lot of his tries off kicks, but now it’s off his running game and his ability to change direction when the ball has been passed,” Tate said.
“Every single club in the NRL will want his signature, what a find for the Cowboys he has been.”
Tom Dearden has proved a lot of people wrong this season — even Shane Flanagan has admitted he never expected the young playmaker to hit the heights he has in 2022.
Dearden would be well in the conversation for breakout player of the season after coming alive for the Cowboys and earning a State of Origin debut.
It’s a far cry from where he was last season, being over looked at the Broncos and struggling even when he made the mid-season switch to the Cowboys.
But the 21-year-old has come out of his shell and on Friday bagged his first career double, with his second try being off the back of his undying effort — something that Brent Tate believes is his biggest strength.
“Even last year when he was really struggling with form he was competing hard on every play and I think that’s his greatest attribute,” Tate said.
“He’s a really talented player that works hard on his craft and deserves all the accolades because of how hard he competes on every play.”
Flanagan was quick to credit Dearden’s “outstanding” season too, admitting he’s exceeded expectation.
“If you said at the start of the year that the Cowboys are going to be a top two side and Dearden’s going to get them there and play Origin I wouldn’t have believed it,” he said.
“But he’s done a great job both for Queensland and the Cowboys.”
WALSH’S TOUGH NIGHT A ‘LEARNING’ OPPORTUNITY
A lot can change in seven days — just ask Warriors young gun Reece Walsh who shone against the Bulldogs last week only to have a night to forget against the Warriors on Friday.
Walsh was steamrolled in the Cowboys’ two tries and struggled under the high ball.
But interim Warriors coach Stacey Jones said Friday’s game is a “learning” experience for Walsh, who has been challenged to nail his consistency after being benched a month ago.
“It’s a learning thing for him,” Jones said.
“That’s why a couple of weeks ago Reece sat on the bench for us because he’s got to learn and last week was near his best performance for us. He’s got to learn that he’s got to be consistent.
“He dropped a couple of high balls that led to tries and got them back into the game, but it’s a learning thing for a young player and Reece was dropped a couple of weeks ago for being inconsistent. We’ll sit down and have a look at his performance along with everyone else.”
TEAMS
Cowboys 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 16. Coen Hess 15. Luciano Leilua 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 10. Reuben Cotter 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown. Replacement player: 20. Jake Granville
Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Marcelo Montoya 5. Edward Kosi 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Tohu Harris 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jack Murchie 13. Bunty Afoa 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Eliesa Katoa 17. Josh Curran. Replacement player: 20. Dunamis Lui
