The North Queensland Cowboys are unbeaten to open the 2024 season and have risen to the top of the NRL table, defeating the Dragons 46-24 in Kogarah thanks to a sensational 42-point blitz.
The Cowboys trailed 18-4 after 20 minutes, but the Dragons took the lead with three tries in 10 minutes.
The Dragons were on fire when Kyle Flanagan crossed next to the posts in the 19th minute, and when the conversion was successful, the home side took a commanding lead in front of an ecstatic crowd at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
A crucial turning moment in the game occurred in the 23rd minute, when Dragons forward Ray Faitala-Mariner fumbled a potential try.
He looked like he was going to score after chasing down a grubber, but he lost the ball over the line. It would have given the home team a 24-4 lead.
It turned out to be a critical error.
The Cowboys marched down the pitch and scored in the next set, the first of seven consecutive tries.
Hooker Reece Robson produced outstanding service from dummy-half, allowing forwards Gryphon Neame, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, and Sam McIntyre to score three close-range touchdowns.
Fullback Scott Drinkwater was everywhere in attack, as was star centre Valentine Holmes, and the two proved a headache for the Dragons defence, each adding four points.
While there were some encouraging indications in the first half, Dragons coach Shane Flanagan is back to the drawing board after his team has conceded 84 points in the last two games.
