The North Queensland Cowboys flipped the script on pre-game expectations in their Thursday night clash against the Canterbury Bulldogs cruising to a 36 to nil victory in Townsville.
The match was touted as being a finals football quality contest, but someone must have forgotten to mention that to Canterbury who were thoroughly outclassed in what was the northerners most impressive 80 minutes of football this year.
It was all Cowboys from the opening kick with Johnathan Thurston providing a playmaking masterclass and putting immense pressure on the Canterbury defence with a sensational kicking game which led to four repeat sets in the first half alone.
It was Thurston who caused a Bulldogs error early on with Antonio Winterstein capitalising on the mistake in the ensuing set with a great run up the the right edge for the first points.
Winterstein crossed on the right again a few minutes later off a top pass from Lachlan Coote. Thurston was back at it again soon after setting up Javid Bowen for try number three with a great dummy.
After the break Michael Morgan showed few signs of post-injury rust with a hit and spin followed by a well placed grubber leading to an easy try for Justin O’Neill.
Thurston left the field shortly after with what was assessed as a low-grade hamstring injury which will see him miss the match against the Storm on Saturday.
Even with their skipper off the field the Cowboys continued to roll with further tries to Ethan Lowe, O’Neill and Winterstein securing the competition points with the latter grabbing a hatrick.
The win saw the Cowboys bump their unbeaten streak at home to nine wins, and the result also marked the fourth time this year that they’ve kept an opponent scoreless.
