Bulldogs vs Cowboys
Round 9 2026, Friday 1 May 2026
Verdict: Bulldogs by 5
BulldogsCowboys
Result: Cowboys 28 defeated Bulldogs 12 ✗ Tip wrong
Match facts
- Kick-off
- Fri 1 May, 6:00pm AEST
- Venue
- Accor Stadium, Sydney
- Ladder going in
- Bulldogs 10th, Cowboys 8th
- Referee
- Peter Gough
- Crowd
- 15,132
- Weather
- Fine, good ground
How the experts tipped
Bulldogs 50%50% Cowboys
| Expert | Tip | Tip correct |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Baker | Bulldogs | ✗ |
| Chris Barrett | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Zoe Samios | Bulldogs | ✗ |
| Zac Bailey | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Frances Howe | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Christian Nicolussi | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Billie Eder | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Adrian Proszenko | Bulldogs | ✗ |
| Dan Walsh | Bulldogs | ✗ |
| Andrew Johns | Bulldogs | ✗ |
| Emma Kemp | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Neil Breen | Bulldogs | ✗ |
Going in
| Club | Ladder going in | Last five, oldest first | Model rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulldogs | 10th | LLWLL | -0.8 |
| Cowboys | 8th | WWWLW | -1.6 |
Last five games
Bulldogs
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 8 | at Broncos | L 12–32 |
| Round 7 | at Eels | L 20–38 |
| Round 6 | v Panthers | W 32–16 |
| Round 5 | at Rabbitohs | L 24–32 |
| Round 4 | v Knights | L 16–24 |
Cowboys
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 8 | v Sharks | W 46–34 |
| Round 7 | v Sea Eagles | L 6–38 |
| Round 6 | at Broncos | W 35–31 |
| Round 5 | at Dragons | W 32–0 |
| Round 4 | v Storm | W 28–24 |
Head to head since 2024
| Season | Round | Game | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Round 19 | Cowboys v Bulldogs | 8–12 | Queensland Country Bank Stadium |
| 2024 | Round 27 | Bulldogs v Cowboys | 6–44 | Accor Stadium |
| 2024 | Round 20 | Cowboys v Bulldogs | 20–18 | Queensland Country Bank Stadium |
Team lists
Bulldogs
- 1 Connor Tracey Fullback
- 2 Jonathan Sua Winger
- 3 Bronson Xerri Centre
- 4 Stephen Crichton (c) Centre
- 5 Enari Tuala Winger
- 6 Matt Burton Five-Eighth
- 7 Lachlan Galvin Halfback
- 8 Samuel Hughes Prop
- 9 Bailey Hayward Hooker
- 10 Leo Thompson Prop
- 11 Sitili Tupouniua Interchange
- 12 Jacob Preston 2nd Row
- 13 Jaeman Salmon Lock
- 14 Kurt Mann Interchange
- 15 Josh Curran 2nd Row
- 16 Lipoi Hopoi Reserve
- 17 Jake Turpin Interchange
- 19 Marcelo Montoya Reserve
- 20 Alekolasimi Jones Interchange
Coach: Cameron Ciraldo
In Enari Tuala, Josh Curran, Lipoi Hopoi
Out Harry Hayes, Marcelo Montoya, Viliame Kikau
Cowboys
- 1 Scott Drinkwater Fullback
- 2 Braidon Burns Winger
- 3 Jaxon Purdue Centre
- 4 Tom Chester Centre
- 5 Zac Laybutt Winger
- 6 Jake Clifford Five-Eighth
- 7 Tom Dearden (c) Halfback
- 8 Coen Hess Prop
- 9 Reed Mahoney Hooker
- 10 Jason Taumalolo Prop
- 11 Heilum Luki 2nd Row
- 12 Jeremiah Nanai 2nd Row
- 13 Reuben Cotter (c) Lock
- 14 Soni Luke Reserve
- 15 Sam McIntyre Interchange
- 16 Thomas Mikaele Interchange
- 17 Griffin Neame Interchange
- 18 Matthew Lodge Interchange
- 22 Robert Derby Reserve
Coach: Todd Payten
Numbers as named by each club on nrl.com. Changes are measured against the club's previous game.
Why the model leaned this way
Going in, Bulldogs rated -0.8 and Cowboys -1.6 on our scale, a gap of 0.8 points, plus 4.5 points for playing at their own ground.
Scoring
- Bulldogs
- Tries Lachlan Galvin 7', Josh Curran 52'
- Goals 2/2
- Half-time 6
- Cowboys
- Tries Reuben Cotter 18', Scott Drinkwater 28', Scott Drinkwater 65', Jake Clifford 74', Braidon Burns 78'
- Goals 4/5
- Half-time 12
Draw, teams and scoring: nrl.com match centre. Expert tips: The Sydney Morning Herald panel.