What's behind Bulldogs vs Cowboys

North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Head Coach Todd Payten has reduced his squad to 20 ahead of Friday's clash with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Bulldogs vs Cowboys has emerged this Saturday as one of the stories drawing attention in Australia.

Key facts

• North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Head Coach Todd Payten has reduced his squad to 20 ahead of Friday's clash with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
• North Queensland Cowboys 28-12 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
• Earlier, the North Queensland Cowboys continued their purple patch with a 28-12 win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Sydney.
• The Melbourne Storm have sunk to a historic low, losing seven consecutive NRL matches for the first time as the Dolphins powered to victory at a wet Lang Park in Brisbane.
• It is a third consecutive loss for the Bulldogs, and a fifth in the past six matches.

What we know

Going deeper, North Queensland Cowboys 28-12 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

On the substance, Earlier, the North Queensland Cowboys continued their purple patch with a 28-12 win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Sydney.

Beyond the headlines, the Melbourne Storm have sunk to a historic low, losing seven consecutive NRL matches for the first time as the Dolphins powered to victory at a wet Lang Park in Brisbane.

More precisely, it is a third consecutive loss for the Bulldogs, and a fifth in the past six matches.

It is worth noting that the Cowboys and Dolphins have enjoyed great wins tonight.

By the numbers

At this stage, the loss comes in the wake of coach Craig Bellamy's health issues being made public, with the club announcing this week the 66-year-old has been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder.

On a related note, Friday night's 28-10 loss to the Dolphins, a match which the Storm lead 10-0 after Sualauvi Fa'alogo scored a brilliant 85-metre solo try, condemned the Victorian club to their worst-ever run of form.

Going deeper, the Storm held a 10-4 lead at half-time, and when Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul in the 46th minute, the Storm were in the box-seat to snap their losing streak.

On the substance, At 10-4, we were a very confident dressing room at half-time.

The wider context

On a related note, the Bulldogs are in a form slump, while the Storm have registered seven consecutive losses for the first time in the club's history.

Going deeper, Melbourne Storm 1021h ago21 hours agoFri 1 May 2026 at 11:51am.

On the substance, 72' PENALTY GOAL: Jamayne Isaako extends the lead to eight points21h ago21 hours agoFri 1 May 2026 at 11:39am.

Beyond the headlines, 72' PENALTY GOAL: Jamayne Isaako extends the lead to eight points.

More precisely, 65' TRY: Jack Bostock scores on return to give Dolphins lead22h ago22 hours agoFri 1 May 2026 at 11:30am.

The bottom line

• The Melbourne Storm have sunk to a historic low, losing seven consecutive NRL matches for the first time as the Dolphins powered to victory at a wet Lang Park in Brisbane.
• It is a third consecutive loss for the Bulldogs, and a fifth in the past six matches.
• The Cowboys and Dolphins have enjoyed great wins tonight.