Luke Metcalf stars as Warriors win 30-26 over Cowboys

Luke Metcalf is finally owning the Warriors’ famous No.7 jersey, with another stunning individual performance rocketing his side into the top four, after surviving a dramatic Cowboys comeback.

A blistering first half individual performance from Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf has rocketed his side into the top four after a narrow victory over the Cowboys on Saturday.

The Warriors 30-26 round nine result in front of a healthy crowd on day two of Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium helped them push their case of serious contenders this season.

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After completing their sets at over 90 per cent in the opening half, Metcalf and his attacking support went to work on a jumbled Cowboys defensive line.

Despite their first half lead, the New Zealand-outfit dramatically fell off a cliff in the second 40 as the Cowboys stormed back into the contest with three straight tries in just seven minutes.

With seven second half errors the Warriors managed to add just one penalty goal to their scoreline but that was enough in front of a strong Warriors crowd.

The Warriors have survived a Cowboys comeback to cement their spot into the top four. Picture: Getty Images

“I think I need a heart transplant,” Warriors head coach Andrew Webster said after the match.

“My emotions are that I’m really proud, we had some busted guys that hung in there but we made it really hard for ourselves.

“To hang in there right at the end, find a way to win, with blokes playing different positions was a good opportunity to learn why we win instead of having to get a loss to do that.”Captain Mitch Barnett echoed his coach’s feelings.

“I think our DNA is starting to show which is the most pleasing thing,” he said.

“I think tonight our first half was the best half of footy we’ve played all season but I still don’t think we are where our ceiling is, which is a positive.

“We’vr got a young keen group that just love to learn and if we can learn while we’re winning, especially those tight ones, at the back end of the year we’ll be so much better for it.

“We’re pleased with where we are but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves.”

METCALF MAGIC

After a dour round one performance, a 30-8 defeat to the Raiders in Las Vegas, Metcalf’s confidence has grown each week as he showed his class once again against the Cowboys.

Since leaving the Sharks at the end of 2022, the 26-year old played 19 matches for the Warriors in 2023 and 2024.

Through the first nine rounds Metcalf has featured in all eight games for the club, scoring the most tries of any halves player in the competition.

The Coffs Harbour junior flew out of the starting blocks scoring two first half tries to go with his 16 points.

Luke Metcalf produced a stunning individual performance, scoring two tries and playing a hand in another. Picture: Getty Images

In the opening 40 minutes the talented halfback recorded 150 run metres, seven tackle breaks, two line breaks, two line break assists and 176 kicking metres.

“Luke was really good, I thought it was his best half of footy,” Warriors head coach Andrew Webster said post match.

“I think he’s going really well at learning to play and while he manages the game.

“I thought we were way better defensively in the first half which gave them an opportunity to play and then in the second half we hardly had the ball for basically the last 30 minutes so he wasn’t going to show what he could do there.

“He’s ticking along nicely, on his own omission he’s got a lot to learn but he’s definitely making progress every week.”

Metcalf’s confidence brought the best out of his teammates with Kurt Capewell, Erin Clark and Chanel Harris-Tavita who all produced solid performances.

DEARDEN ALL EFFORT

The Cowboys go-to playmaker and captain gave all he could for his side against the Warriors on Saturday night, with multiple effort plays and creative spark.

Dearden, 24, marched orders from siren to siren, scoring a try himself in the opening half.

He finished the match with 81 run metres, 17 post contact metres, six tackle breaks, a line break and 21 tackles.

PURDUE CONTINUES TO SHINE

Despite the result, Cowboys winger Jaxon Purdue was able to continue his stellar try scoring season, adding another to his overall tally of seven in 2025.

Despite rising through the grades and entering the Cowboys top squad as a halfback, the 19-year-old has started all eight games at centre this season.

He finished with 102 metres, 29 post contact metres and nine tackles.

INJURY TOLL RISES

With on and off heavy rain the fans headed for cover as Warriors centre Rocco Berry suffered the only injury of the match with a hamstring complaint in the 52nd minute.