Cowboys coach Todd Payten can breathe a deep sigh of relief after his side got its first win of the season in Townsville, beating the Gold Coast 30-16.

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North Queensland’s right edge had a field day with four tries as the team rode the highs and lows of the Scott Drinkwater rollercoaster.

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Titans halfback Jayden Campbell made his return from a hamstring injury, marking his first appearance of 2026 with a first-half double.

First Campbell tore through a gaping hole in the Cowboys defence and rounded Drinkwater to score, and his second try came when he intercepted a pass from the North Queensland fullback and raced 90 metres.

Campbell’s long-range brilliance was matched by Drinkwater minutes later when he squeezed through a gap and galloped his way to the line in a stunning individual effort.

An explosive first half saw the Cowboys race out to a 22-10 halftime lead but an abysmal defensive effort from Drinkwater allowed Kurtis Morrin to stroll in under the posts just after the break and re-enter the contest.

Despite some glimpses of brilliance, the Titans are still clearly a step off the pace with their discipline and ball control and coach Josh Hannay will have to wait at least another week for his first win as Gold Coast coach.

JUDICIARY WATCH

Sam Verrills was placed on report for a high tackle in the 50th minute and is only facing a fine. Tom Chester was sin binned late for a high shot on Jayden Campbell, which was judged to be a grade two careless high tackle. He is looking at a one-game ban at minimum.

Hannay dejected after 0-3 start to 2026 | 04:40

CLEAR MESSAGE ON ‘SHOPPED AROUND’ DRINKWATER

Enigmatic Cowboys custodian Drinkwater must be the most frustrating player in the NRL.

In one moment he can win you the game with a blistering run through the defence, the next minute he has thrown an intercept try with an ambitious pass that was never on.

Drinkwater was everywhere in the opening stages, creating great opportunities in attack but costing his side with some flimsy defence and a fateful intercept thrown to Campbell.

When the Cowboys are losing he’s public enemy number one, but tonight he will get a hero’s welcome at the Mad Cow after a brilliant individual try, nine tackle breaks and a try assist.

With Zac Laybutt back from suspension and Viliami Vailea making his return from injury in the Q Cup on Saturday, Payten has plenty of options to tinker with his backline, but it looks like his fullback’s job is safe again for now.

It came after there were suggestions earlier in the week that the Cowboys could be weighing up a shock spine move which would see Jaxon Purdue shifted to fullback.

Drinkwater had a brilliant game.Source: FOX SPORTS

Purdue is still off-contract at the end of the season and the Cowboys want to do everything in their power to keep him, which could include moving him to the back as is his preference.

Further to that, veteran reporter David Riccio said on NRL 360 earlier in the week that late last year there was mail Drinkwater was “being shopped”.

“Nothing eventuated but clearly there’s an appetite to play Purdue at fullback,” Riccio added.

But Drinkwater reminded Cowboys fans just how devastating he can be in attack when at his best on Sunday, looking dangerous with every touch as Matty Johns declared post-game: “If they let Scotty Drinkwater go they’ve got rocks in their heads”.

Drinkwater stuns with EPIC solo try | 00:44

SUNDAY SCARIES

The Titans continued their nightmare run of form on Sundays, extending their streak to 15 straight defeats on the Lord’s day.

The Gold Coast’s most recent Sunday victory came almost two years ago in round 21, 2024, when they beat the Dolphins 21-14 in Brisbane.

RANDALL THE CENTURION

Titans lock Chris Randall made his 100th NRL appearance, reaching the major milestone in his seventh season of first grade.

The tough-as-nails forward finished the match with four tackle busts off his six runs, while making 34 tackles with one miss.

Randall played 29 games for the Newcastle Knights following his 2020 debut, moving north to the Gold Coast in 2023.

STAT ATTACK (Via Fox Lab)

– Cowboys have won seven of the past nine and 15 of 19 home games against the Titans.

– Cowboys are 21-0 when scoring 21-plus points against the Titans.

– Titans have lost their past 15 Sunday games; most recent victory was in 2024 vs Dolphins at Suncorp

– Titans have lost eight straight Queensland derbies since the start of last season.

– Fourth time since 2019 the Titans have started the season 0-3.

– Titans made seven line breaks to four, but had just 44 percent possession and just 12 tackles to the Cowboys 44 in the opposition 20.

– Jayden Campbell scored his fourth career try double (first since 2022) in his first game of the season.

– Murray Taulagi scored his first try double against the Titans – he now has five tries in his last four games against them

– Fox Lab POTM was Scott Drinkwater. He scored a try and set up another. Ran for 191 metres, busting eight tackles. Has three tries and fiveassists from his last three games vs Titans.

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