NRL round one weekend wrap-up: important wins for Eels and Sharks

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys

The Bulldogs already appear to have been affected by the absence of Ben Barba. With his attacking potency missing, the Bulldogs found it hard to challenge the Cowboys on the 5th tackle. Losing their forwards, Frank Pritchard and Sam Kasiano, meant the Bulldogs were slower to roll up the field and North Queensland dominated possession.

Johnathan Thurston was back in fine form with that deadly dummy of his and the big forward pack from up North were eating up the metres. Eager to put last years controversial finals exit out of their minds, the Cowboys showed they are genuine title contenders.