In a thrilling encounter at Townsville, the Cowboys edged past the Dragons with a final score of 38-32, but the match raised significant concerns for the team’s management due to three players being placed on report, with Karl Lawton’s actions coming under the most scrutiny.
Midway through the second half, a collision occurred involving Dragons forward Jaydn Su’A, who was tackled by Cowboys’ Jeremiah Nanai from above, while Lawton tackled him below. This resulted in Su’A being injured and subsequently leaving the field, which sparked lengthy on-field treatment as he grimaced in pain. Despite his efforts to return to play, Su’A ultimately had to leave the game due to a knee injury.
Lawton wasn’t alone in receiving scrutiny; teammates Coen Hess and Jeremiah Nanai also found themselves on report, alongside David Klemmer, who drew criticism for raising his knees during contact.
The match itself was marked by erratic performances from the Cowboys, who initially led comfortably, creating a 28-12 halftime advantage. However, the Dragons mounted a strong resurgence in the second half, narrowing the deficit to just four points at 28-24 after Jacob Liddle scored in the 65th minute.
Amidst this pressure, Cowboys’ Tom Dearden, who has been a standout performer for the team this season, responded magnificently by scoring again, helping the Cowboys extend their lead. Jaxon Purdue added another try, but Liddle’s second try late in the game made the closing minutes tense.
Ultimately, the Cowboys managed to hold on for the victory, providing coach Todd Payten with a sigh of relief in a match that was aptly termed “bizarre” by Fox League commentator Warren Smith. As the scrutiny from the judiciary report looms, there’s no doubt that the Cowboys will need to focus on their discipline and performance moving forward.