Clifford Shines as Cowboys Hold Off Bulldogs in Pre-Season Trial
A potential selection dilemma for the North Queensland Cowboys appears to be easing after a dominant performance by halfback Jake Clifford helped secure a 34-30 victory over a resilient, but undermanned, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in a pre-season trial match. The 2026 NRL pre-season series, along with the All-Star matches, will be broadcast live and ad-break free on FOX LEAGUE, available through Kayo Sports, with new subscribers able to access their first month for just $1.
Clifford showcased his playmaking ability on Saturday night, setting up three tries and expertly controlling the game with his kicking prowess. According to commentary during the Fox League coverage, his performance has significantly strengthened his claim for a starting position alongside Tom Dearden in the halves. While Jaxon Purdue also impressed at five-eighth, contributing to a try with a well-placed kick, Clifford’s impact appears to have positioned him as the frontrunner, potentially allowing Purdue to shift to left centre in the upcoming season. “They are different styles of players, but they both are playing to their strengths, and we saw that today,” a source close to the team stated.
Luki’s Triumphant Return and Derby’s Double
The match delivered an early highlight just five minutes in, as Heilum Luki marked his return from a devastating ACL injury – sustained before Christmas in 2024 – with a powerful try. Luki’s absence was keenly felt during the Cowboys’ challenging 2025 campaign, and his immediate impact underscored his importance to the team. He combined effectively with Clifford, opening the scoring and contributing to a strong right edge attack that saw Robert Derby score two first-half tries.
Bulldogs Unearth Potential in Fitzgibbon and Cochrane
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs showcased promising young talent. Aaymon Fitzgibbon, son of Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon, demonstrated his potential with a second-half try after signing a three-year deal with Canterbury. While veteran hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong struggled to make a significant impact, the Bulldogs found a spark in rookie fullback Taye Cochrane.
Cochrane ran for a team-high 133 metres and broke the line twice in the first half, also setting up a try. A recent post on X/Twitter from Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould praised Cochrane, stating he is “my favourite” and predicting he will “tear them down.”
Rule Changes and Defensive Concerns
The Bulldogs’ late surge, fueled by a weight of possession following a change in kick-off dynamics, has reignited debate surrounding proposed rule changes. After falling behind 28-0, the Bulldogs scored three tries in a nine-minute span, capitalizing on consistently regaining possession from kick-offs. This momentum shift occurred as the NRL reconsidered a push to allow teams to choose receiving the ball after conceding.
However, the match also highlighted ongoing defensive concerns for the Cowboys. Despite their attacking prowess, they conceded a significant number of points against a Bulldogs side missing key players, echoing their struggles from the 2025 season, where they conceded the second-most points in the league.
Teams:
Bulldogs: 1. Taye Cochrane 2. Cooper Toy 3. Sosaia Alatini 4. Jed Reardon 5. Jonathan Sua 6. Joseph Teaupa 7. Alex Conti 14. Fletcher Baker 9. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Alekolasimi Jones 12. Logan Spinks 13. Lipoi Hopoi 16. Zyon Maiu’u 17. Aaymon Fitzgibbon 19. Jack Underhill 20. Raymond Puru 21. Hamish Wilson 22. Jope Rauqe 23. Michael Nassar 24. Justin Matamua 25. Bud Smith 26. Bailey Myers
Cowboys: 1. Mason Barber 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Liam Sutton 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Jake Clifford 8. Harrison Edwards 9. Xavier Kerrisk 10. Thomas Mikaele 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Zac Herdegen 15. Kaiden Lahrs 16. Mason Kira 17. Matthew Watts 18. Creedence Toia 19. Ronald Philitoga 20. Maddox Goodwin 21. Wiremu Greig 22. Tyler Moriarty 23. Joseph Doyle 24. Isaiah Latu.
