The Cowboys demolished the Warriors 48-4 in a comprehensive home display at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
It took just six minutes for the Cowboys to strike first, before scoring again three minutes later.
The Warriors hit back with an important try just six minutes before half-time to stay in the game.
But that was the only joy they had all night with the Cowboys scoring two tries in two minutes before the half-time break before scoring two more tries in the opening seven minutes of the second half.
Tom Dearden had a night to remember, bagging his first career brace, while fellow flyhalf Chad Townsend set up three tries and got one of his own to put the icing on the cake.
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BIG SUCCESS
NANAI FEEDING BRAKE LOOMS
In just over two months, young Cowboys point guard Jeremiah Nanai will be free to field offers from rivals and we know one club that is interested: the Dragons.
Nanai, who crossed for his 17th try of the season on Friday night, signed a one-year extension with the Cowboys in April. He has since become an Origin player and one of the Cowboys’ most lethal players.
Speaking to Fox League, Shane Flanagan, who is the Dragons’ list management consultant, said the club would absolutely be interested in the 19-year-old.
“We will name him for a long time, he will score many more tries and he will be there for a long time. He’s a super player … and we’d love to see him at the Dragons,” Flanagan said after Nanai’s try.
Nanai sniffed a gap in the first half against the Warriors and snuck in to score. Former Cowboy and Fox League 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 the kick, but now he’s off his running game and his ability to change direction when the ball has been passed,” Tate said.
“Every club in the NRL will want his signature, what a find for the Cowboys he has been.”
DEAD PROVES THE DOUBTS WRONG
Tom Dearden has proved many people wrong this season, with even Shane Flanagan admitting he never expected the young playmaker to reach the heights he has in 2022.
Dearden would be right in the conversation for MVP after coming alive for the Cowboys and earning a home state debut.
He’s a far cry from where he was last season, getting looked at by the Broncos and struggling even when he made the midseason trade to the Cowboys.
But the 21-year-old has come out of his shell and scored his first career brace on Friday, with his second try building on his eternal drive, something Brent Tate believes is his greatest strength .
“Even last year when he was really struggling with form, he really competed in every play and I think that’s his best attribute,” Tate said.
“He’s a very talented player who works hard at his craft and deserves all the credit for competing on every play.”
Flanagan was also quick to credit Dearden’s “outstanding” season, admitting he has exceeded expectations.
“If you had said at the start of the year that the Cowboys would be a top two team and Dearden would take them there and play in Origin, I wouldn’t have believed it,” he said.
“But he’s done a great job for both Queensland and the Cowboys.”
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 Jason Taumalolo 10. Reuben Cotter 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown. Substitute 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. Substitute player: 20. Dunamis Lui
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