NRL 2022: Cowboys win 35-4 over Parramatta Eels, Kyle Feldt hat-trick

The Cowboys have completed a Super Saturday of upsets, with the Eels falling apart to a completely reborn North Queensland side on the back of a Kyle Feldt hat-trick.

Kyle Feldt was key to the Cowboys win, scoring a hat-trick to get his side in a commanding position. Picture: Getty Images.

The Cowboys bashed the Eels into submission in defence and the class of Scott Drinkwater and hat-trick hero Kyle Feldt landed multiple killer blows in a stunning 35-4 shutout in Darwin.

This performance, the best by North Queensland in years, established Todd Payten’s side as genuine title contenders and gave the Eels plenty of soul searching to do ahead of their clash with Penrith next week. The Cowboys are now third and in the top four for the first time through eight rounds since 2016.

Parramatta threw everything at North Queensland early but right across the park the Cowboys made all the last-ditch tackles that needed to be made.

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It’s been a rollercoaster month for Parramatta with two wins and two losses in their last four games. Picture: Getty Images.

The creativity of Drinkwater at fullback gives the Cowboys extra dimension in attack and he laid on a cracker for Feldt with a cut-out pass the star winger reeled in with ease.

Feldt, one of the great finishers, then snaffled a wonder cross-field kick by half Chad Townsend to outleap Hayze Perham. Val Holmes, back to his 2016 premiership winning form, added touches of class in every facet of his play and landed a field goal to give North Queensland a 15-0 lead. When Townsend, in his 200th NRL game, flicked the switch from a scrum Feldt had his third and it was game over. Drinkwater finished the Eels off with a cracking chip and chase.

“That was awesome...the best win I have been a part of since I’ve been up here. Our defence in that first 20 or 25 minutes was something you haven’t seen from us for a couple of years,” Drinkwater told Fox League.

The Cowboys produced arguably their best performance in years, to beat Parramatta by more than 30 points. Picture: Getty Images.

STEEL COWBOYS

Coach Payten has instilled steel into a team that previously leaked points at will.

The Cowboys conceded 30 points per game last year but have trimmed that back to just 12 through the first eight rounds.

The transformation of the Cowboys is epitomised by the play of hooker Reece Robson and prop Reuben Cotter. By halftime the duo had made 22 tackles each when the going was tough, and Cotter is also a real handful with the ball.

“We won the game on the back of our defence. I am pretty pleased,” Payten said.“There’s a want and desire and a willingness to work hard for your teammates, which is great to watch.”

EELS FLAT

Parramatta lacked the energy and enthusiasm of their opponents. It was a lesson for the Eels who are regarded as a genuine title threat by opponents. Plan A often works for Parramatta but on this occasion they had no Plan B. The sooner Dylan Brown can get back to five-eighth, where he has played so well this year, the better. The Eels were tackled 41 times inside the Cowboys quarter, but only came up with one try.

Eels coach Brad Arthur admitted the Cowboys were “just too good”.

“We had some opportunities we didn’t take. Our response to that wasn’t good enough. They out-enthused us as well,” he said.

Captain Clint Gutherson said his side had “no excuses”.

Kyle Feldt was key to the Cowboys win, scoring a hat-trick to get his side in a commanding position. Picture: Getty Images.

DRINK UP

Drinkwater has been a revelation at fullback since coming into the side in round five for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who returned from a PCL injury off the bench with a cracking try from a Drinkwater bust. Drinkwater now has six try assists in four games and has the stamp of a genuine playmaker. Formerly Nathan Cleary’s halves partner in the Australian Schoolboys side, Drinkwater has cut out his high risk plays and when he hits the go button a great result for his team usually eventuates.

“Drinky has come in and made a real difference to what we do with the ball and after his first game against the Warriors, has made an adjustment to get our line organised,” Payten said.

FELDT BELTER

Feldt gave his opposite number Perham a footballing lesson that the 22-year-old Eel will have nightmares over. The 30-year-old gave Maroons coach Billy Slater a reminder of his Origin credentials. Feldt wasn’t happy with his two Queensland displays last year but a recall won’t be far away if he keeps up this form.

TAUMALOLO TERROR

Any questions that the 2015 premiership winner had lot the mojo of previous seasons have been put to bed this year and he ripped and tore in a torrid opening duel with Reagan Campbell-Gillard where he was also required to do plenty of defence. The Tongan giant iced the win with a typically barnstorming run that led to a Tom Dearden try.