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Find your Sport Nation frequencyBrandy’s big call on the Cowboys
Nicholas Quinlan • July 18th, 2025 9:51 am
The Cowboys are out of finals contention, according to SEN’s Greg Alexander after losing on Thursday night.
North Queensland was beaten comprehensively by the Dolphins 43-24 at Suncorp Stadium despite a second-half comeback to close the margin to 10 points with 15 minutes to go.
It was a disappointing loss for the Cowboys, who had won their last two outings against the Dolphins at Suncorp. It would also be their sixth loss across their last seven games having only beaten the Gold Coast Titans who find themselves in last place.
With this result, the Cowboys sit 12th on the ladder and are now five points adrift from the top eight with six games to go.
As a result, Alexander now believes that North Queensland will miss finals for the third time under coach Todd Payten.
“Put a line through the Cowboys after last night, it’s the end of them,” Alexander explained on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Even though their draw is favourable, and they still have a bye up their sleeves, I can’t see the Cowboys rallying after that.
“Some of their players, Reuben Cotter has only had two games, and they were both for Queensland. He hasn’t done anything for the Cowboys this year. He has been very disappointing as he was again last night.”
While Alexander may have the Cowboys out of contention for the finals, recent history shows that they are still in with a chance, albeit a slim one.
For instance, the Newcastle Knights last season found themselves four points from the top eight at the end of Round 20. But they would rally to win four of their last five games to scrape into eighth place.
And the Roosters also made a similar charge up the ladder in 2023 after sitting in 14th following Round 20 to then end up sitting 7th at the end of the home and away season.
The Cowboys do have a favourable run home with only one top-eight side team left to play, alongside having a bye in Round 27.
Although their finals chances will depend on their results across the next two weeks having to face fellow finals-contending teams in 11th-placed St George Illawarra and 10th-placed Cronulla Sharks.
