The Dolphins are in search of a fifth straight win as they take on the Cowboys in Townsville, but the competition’s newest club is aggrieved by the awarding of a controversial North Queensland try.
Tom Chester crossed for the Cowboys but appeared to lose the ball while scoring.
Later, Brisbane will try to get back on the horse when it welcomes Gold Coast to Lang Park.
Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 6:23pm
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 6:23pm
Halftime: Dolphins 16 lead Cowboys 10
Phins get the challenge and the penalty and they’re on the attack, they spread it left, Chester clips Cobbo high and he’s on report. Fresh set for the away side.
Farnworth flicks one out the back, Mahoney knocks it down, Cows scrum feed but time is running out.
They go right, Katoa kicks for Bostock but Drinkwater juuuust manages to knock it dead.
Good half. Good time. Evenly poised!
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 6:17pm
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 6:17pm
37′ Phins denied another
Nikorima engineers a shift down the right and Isaako tries to step inside for the corner but he gets corralled. Nice scramble from the Cows.
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 6:14pm
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 6:14pm
35′ Katoa gets a present
Oh man, the Phins have one out of nowhere!
Purdue tries to go from dummy half on his own 20, Donoghoe hits him with a strong tackle to drive him back, the ball sits up for Marshall-King, he goes out to Bostock and Katoa is there on the inside to score.
A gift of a try and the Dolphins can go outside a converted try if Isaako converts……but he can’t.
Phins up 16-10.
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 6:08pm
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 6:08pm
31′ Phins go over in the corner
Katoa forces a drop out with a nice grubber and the Phins build some pressure.
A few plays after the restart they spread it right, Katoa goes to Bostock and the centre throws a great pass to Isaako who steps inside and scores!
A well-contructed try for the visitors. Isaako from touch to give the Dolphins the lead….he nails it!
Phins up 12-10.
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 6:04pm
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 6:04pm
27′ Phins on the attack
The Phins spread it left, Cobbo drops a pass out the back and Nikormia picks it up, Katoa puts it up a play later but Drinkwater claims it…but it’s spilled and Chester takes the ball.
The ref says it’s a disruptor and the Phins are on the attack!
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 5:57pm
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 5:57pm
22’ A controversial Cowboys try
Farnworth drops the ball in yardage and North Queensland are on the attack.
They spread it right, Clifford goes short to Chester and he’s over!
It doesn’t look good though, the ref sends it up as no try.
They look at it….they look at it…..and ioh my God, they’re going to give it.
(Fox League)
Chester scores but to my eyes he clearly dropped it. Clifford converts and it’s 10-6. To my eyes, that’s as bad a decision as I’ve seen this year.
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 5:49pm
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 5:49pm
16’ Cowboys strike
Drinkwater gets into first receiver, he dishes it out to Sutton and the rookie throws a lovely backhanded pass to Taulagi to score in the corner!
Great reply from them Cows, Clifford can’t convert but this game is alive.
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 5:46pm
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 5:46pm
14’ Cows on the attack
An error from Laybutt gives the Dolphins some good ball but the Cowboys challenge.
They’ll get it – Flegler is penalised for a strip. North Queensland on the attack.
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 5:42pm
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 5:42pm
7’ Cobbo goes all the way
The Cowboys are on the attack, Clifford goes to the line and throws it out the back, it’s on the ground and Cobbo picks it up, he’s off, Chester chases him all the way but Cobbo has the pace!
What a try! Isaako converts and it’s 6-0 Dolphins.
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 5:36pm
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 5:36pm
4’ Cowboys hold on
A six again following a big run from Flegler gives the Dolphins a set restart but they can’t crack the home side. In the ensuing set a big run from Taumalolo earns the Cowboys a penalty and they’re on the attack.
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 5:31pm
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 5:31pm
And away we go!
Cows kick us off, running right to left!
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 5:26pm
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 5:26pm
Tips
I really like the Phins for this one. They’re high on confidence and the Cowboys are looking a little sluggish as they wait for their first bye.
Let’s go Phins 34-18 with Jeremy Marshall-King to score first.
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 4:49pm
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 4:49pm
Final teams: Cowboys vs Dolphins
North Queensland are as named on Tuesday but there’s one change for the Dolphins.
Jeremy Marshall-King is starting at hooker with Max Plath going back to the bench.
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 4:43pm
Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 4:43pm
Hello and welcome to the ABC Saturday NRL blog
Hey everybody, it’s so nice to see you all.
My name is Nick and I’m here to steer you through the first NRL match here tonight.
Dolphins! Cowboys! Let’s have some fun out there!
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