NRL round five: North Queensland Cowboys defeat Gold Coast Titans 35-22

Des Hasler’s horror season with the Titans continues after his side fell short to the Cowboys to remain winless in 2024, now sweating on an injury to one of their key playmakers.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Scott Drinkwater of the Cowboys makes a breakduring the round five NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans at Qld Country Bank Stadium, on April 07, 2024, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Des Hasler’s winless start on the Gold Coast has continued after a historic Kyle Feldt try ended their second-half fightback in a 35-22 loss to North Queensland.

The Sunshine State rivalry looked anything but when the Cowboys cruised to an 18-point lead against a winless and lifeless Titans side with 16 minutes to go in Townsville.

But the sin-binning of Chad Townsend for a hip drop led to two straight tries to the visitors, before Feldt ended any thoughts of a comeback with a 40m intercept try in the 69th minute.

In crossing for his 131st try, the 2015 premiership-hero surpassed club legend Matt Bowen to become North Queensland’s all-time leading tryscorer.

“That’s a big play. That got us over the line in the end,” coach Todd Payten said.

“They had all the running of the play and momentum behind them. Feldty’s shifted a little bit with what we were doing on the edges and that’s part of the reason for it. He come up with a good play.”

Payten also disagreed with the hip drop.

“I thought it was pretty innocuous to be fair. I thought (Jayden Campbell) was already on the ground, so it wasn’t a proper hip drop. Kid got up and played on, no dramas,” he said.

“(I) seen one two weeks ago with Jack Wighton and not get penalised at all, Victor Radley gets put in a bin and (does) not get charged. I’m not sure around it.

“But Chad’s in particular, the sin-binning was harsh.”

Scott Drinkwater scores a try for the Cowboys. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Zac Laybutt of the Cowboys. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Townsend sealed the victory, and ensured a win in Jake Granville’s 200th for the club, with a field goal as soon as he returned to the field.

Cowboys star Scott Drinkwater was sublime, scoring two tries and setting up another in a performance that included eight tackle busts and 137 running metres.

The Titans claimed an unwanted slice of history of their own, becoming the first team in premiership history to concede 28 points in nine straight games.

The defeat leaves Hasler’s side one spot above last-placed South Sydney, while North Queensland rise to second spot on the ladder behind the Dolphins on points differential.

KICK-OFF DEBATE

The debate around banning the long kick-off erupted this week, and a sickening concussion to Cowboys forward Sam McIntyre in the second half will only fuel the discussion.

McIntyre was caught between teammates Feldt and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki when he was confronted by a rampaging Moeaki Fotuaika steaming off the back fence.

With little room to move, an upright McIntyre was felled as his head collided with Fotuaika’s shoulder midway through the second half.

“He’s standing there waiting for that to happen. He’s a sitting duck. He can’t move . no one bends down to make a tackle from a kick-off. No one bends their back,” Greg Alexander said on Fox Sports.

Zac Laybutt of the Cowboys comes from the field with a knee injury. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Kieran Foran of the Titans comes from the field after being injured. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

INJURIES MOUNT

The injury to Laybutt is a bitter blow for Payten, who has already lost key forward Coen Hess to a major knee injury in a pre-season game.

The 22-year-old Laybutt, who scored the opening try, was making a routine carry when he was hit hard by Kieran Foran and Jaimin Joliffe midway through the first period.

North Queensland go on the road to Parramatta next week.

The Titans were also left reeling by an injury to Foran, who was in the wars after being whacked by Jeremiah Nanai early in the contest, before succumbing to a leg issue soon after.

His possible absence could result in AJ Brimson, who was one of the Titans’ best, moving into the halves for next week’s visit to Canberra.

“My ankle got caught under my own player,” Foran said of his injury.

“Hopefully the damage isn’t too bad. Feels alright now, I just couldn’t get it going. We decided to take the cautious approach with it, rather than go back out.”