North Queensland’s hot run of form has continued with a Charlize Lloyd-Phillips hat-trick lifting them to their third win in four matches to heap more misery on the Dragons.

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Lloyd-Phillips became the first player in club history to achieve the feat in an NRLW game as the Cowboys piled on the points to win 32-28.

It’s a fair recovery from a team that lost its four matches of the season, with the Cowboys striking after just two minutes to stun the home fans.

Essay Banu grabbed a very rare double, but Lloyd-Phillips was the hero as she showed off her aerial threat under the high ball which helped her score two of her tries.

Some stunning defence on the stroke of half-time by skipper Bree Chester proved telling as she somehow denied Maria Paseka with a play that proved decisive.

The Dragons had their moments and did well to repeatedly find points when they seemed dead and buried, but goal-kicking hurt them dearly on a night both sides scored six tries.

Charlize Lloyd-Phillips of the Cowboys scores a try during the round eight NRLW matchSource: Getty Images

NRLW STAR’S CAREER FIRST IN TIGERS THRILLER

Raecene McGregor has done just about everything in rugby league, and she can finally add a matchwinning field goal to the list after the veteran playmaker nailed the first one-pointer of her NRLW career to clinch an epic win for the Tigers.

They looked set to romp to a thumping win over the Knights when they raced out to a 20-point lead, but they needed some McGregor magic in the final two minutes to seal a 27-26 victory.

Newcastle had just kicked a penalty goal to tie things up after a strip and then looked set to be on the attack after a big break from Amelia Pasikala, only for Tenika Willison to drop the pass near halfway.

That gave McGregor the field position she needed to slot the field goal from 14 metres out to move the Tigers into third spot.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 22: Raecene McGregor of the Tigers looks on following her field goal attempt during the round eight NRLW match between Newcastle Knights and Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium, on August 22, 2026, in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Finals Fantasy

It’s going to take a minor miracle for John Strange to not be named coach of the year, but Craig Sandercock has to be his closest competition after the Tigers edged closer to a maiden NRLW finals berth.

The Tigers raced out of the blocks with a try in the opening minute and then had to survive a furious comeback in the second half.

The win was their sixth of the season, with the Tigers managing just five victories combined in their first three years in the competition which saw them claim back-to-back wooden spoons.

But they are now on track for the finals and will finish the round in third spot if the Titans knock off the Broncos.

Shaylee Bent broke clear down the right edge to cross for their first before fans had a chance to take their seats, with Caitlin Turnbull the next to score after some quick hands down the left and a brilliant chase to pounce on a kick.

Harmony Crichton then scored her first NRLW try to make it 14-0 after just 13 minutes, with Losana Lutu scoring early in the second half to open up a 20-point lead.

Newcastle then hit back with two tries in six minutes and set up a grandstand finish when Olivia Higgins’ grubber smashed into the posts and back into her arms for another try.

It was the second time in as many weeks that they conceded a late field goal, with finals now a long shot.

RAIDERS’ SURGE CONTINUES

The Raiders remain a premiership dark horse after they smashed the Bulldogs with Krystal Blackwell becoming the first Canberra player to score an NRLW hat-trick.

The Green Machine scored five tries in the first half as they cruised to an emphatic 48-4 victory over Canterbury to move into fourth spot, although the Broncos can leapfrog them if they win on Sunday.

It was their third win in a row with the visitors making an early statement when veteran forward Simaima Taufa crashed over in the opening two minutes.

But it was the Blackwell show after that with the five-eighth scoring three tries and setting up another three as she tormented the Bulldogs defence.

Her first came on the back of a lovely offload from Sophie Holyman, with Blackwell completing her hat-trick nine minutes into the second half when a bomb was allowed to bounce into her arms before she raced away.

It was a disastrous day for the Bulldogs who missed 37 tackles at home just a few days after the club announced that NRL great Mark O’Meley would be taking over as coach in 2027.

Krystal Blackwell of the Raiders.Source: Getty Images