Dolphins vs Cowboys
Round 20 2026, Sunday 19 July 2026
Verdict: Dolphins by 8
DolphinsCowboys
Result: Dolphins 36 defeated Cowboys 16 ✓ Tip correct
Match facts
- Kick-off
- Sun 19 Jul, 4:05pm AEST
- Venue
- Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- Ladder going in
- Dolphins 7th, Cowboys 8th
- Referee
- Grant Atkins
- Crowd
- 35,213
- Weather
- Fine, good ground
How the experts tipped
Dolphins 50%50% Cowboys
| Expert | Tip | Tip correct |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Baker | Dolphins | ✓ |
| Chris Barrett | Dolphins | ✓ |
| Zoe Samios | Dolphins | ✓ |
| Zac Bailey | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Frances Howe | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Christian Nicolussi | Dolphins | ✓ |
| Billie Eder | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Adrian Proszenko | Dolphins | ✓ |
| Dan Walsh | Dolphins | ✓ |
| Andrew Johns | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Emma Kemp | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Neil Breen | Cowboys | ✗ |
Going in
| Club | Ladder going in | Last five, oldest first | Model rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins | 7th | WWWLL | +2.6 |
| Cowboys | 8th | LLLWW | -0.4 |
Last five games
Dolphins
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 19 | v Sharks | L 0–66 |
| Round 18 | at Knights | L 12–13 |
| Round 17 | v Warriors | W 26–24 |
| Round 16 | at Wests Tigers | W 36–22 |
| Round 15 | v Roosters | W 48–10 |
Cowboys
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 19 | at Sea Eagles | W 19–18 |
| Round 17 | v Panthers | W 26–12 |
| Round 16 | at Warriors | L 20–38 |
| Round 14 | v Dolphins | L 14–40 |
| Round 13 | at Raiders | L 12–26 |
Head to head since 2024
| Season | Round | Game | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Round 14 | Cowboys v Dolphins | 14–40 | Queensland Country Bank Stadium |
| 2025 | Round 20 | Dolphins v Cowboys | 43–24 | Suncorp Stadium |
| 2025 | Round 15 | Cowboys v Dolphins | 4–58 | Queensland Country Bank Stadium |
| 2024 | Round 9 | Cowboys v Dolphins | 26–28 | Queensland Country Bank Stadium |
| 2024 | Round 1 | Dolphins v Cowboys | 18–43 | Suncorp Stadium |
Team lists
Dolphins
- 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Fullback
- 2 Jamayne Isaako Winger
- 4 Herbie Farnworth Centre
- 5 Selwyn Cobbo Centre
- 6 Kodi Nikorima (c) Five-Eighth
- 7 Bradley Schneider Halfback
- 8 Thomas Flegler Prop
- 9 Jeremy Marshall-King Hooker
- 10 Francis Molo Prop
- 11 Connelly Lemuelu 2nd Row
- 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 2nd Row
- 13 Morgan Knowles Lock
- 14 Kurt Donoghoe Interchange
- 15 Max Plath Interchange
- 16 Tom Gilbert (c) Interchange
- 17 Felise Kaufusi Interchange
- 18 Tevita Naufahu Winger
- 19 Sebastian Su'a Reserve
- 22 John Fineanganofo Reserve
Coach: Kristian Woolf
In Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Max Plath, Selwyn Cobbo, Thomas Flegler
Out Jake Averillo, Sebastian Su'a, Tevita Naufahu, Trai Fuller
Cowboys
- 1 Scott Drinkwater Fullback
- 2 Braidon Burns Winger
- 3 Zac Laybutt Centre
- 4 Tom Chester Centre
- 5 Murray Taulagi Winger
- 6 Jaxon Purdue Five-Eighth
- 7 Jake Clifford Reserve
- 8 Griffin Neame 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 Interchange
- 16 Matthew Lodge Interchange
- 17 Coen Hess Interchange
- 18 Sam McIntyre Interchange
- 21 Ethan King Reserve
- 22 Tom Dearden Halfback
Coach: Todd Payten
Out Thomas Mikaele
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, Dolphins rated +2.6 and Cowboys -0.4 on our scale, a gap of 3.0 points, plus 4.5 points for playing at their own ground.
Scoring
- Dolphins
- Tries Jamayne Isaako 30', Felise Kaufusi 36', Jamayne Isaako 43', Tom Gilbert 47', Max Plath 76', Connelly Lemuelu 78'
- Goals 6/6
- Half-time 12
- Cowboys
- Tries Tom Dearden 4', Jeremiah Nanai 13', Scott Drinkwater 69'
- Goals 2/3
- Half-time 10
Draw, teams and scoring: nrl.com match centre. Expert tips: The Sydney Morning Herald panel.