The North Queensland Cowboys secured their first victory of 2025 with a thrilling 30-20 win over the Canberra Raiders in Townsville, in front of 18,897 fans.
Captain Tom Dearden sealed the match with a late try after Raiders’ Xavier Savage squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead.
Jake Clifford made a powerful statement on his return to first grade, scoring two tries and assisting another, while Jeremiah Nanai’s impact off the bench showcased his value to the team.
The Cowboys bucked their slow-start trend with a burst of scoring late in the first half, exploiting Canberra’s struggles under high balls to notch three tries in eight minutes.
