Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland Cowboys - Round 1, 2026
How it unfolded
The Cowboys had the better of the ball, with 51 percent possession to the Knights' 49, and got through more work with it, 1855 all run metres to the Knights' 1745. Newcastle made up the difference elsewhere, laying on 5 line breaks to the Cowboys' 2.
Against projection
Kalyn Ponga scored 80 from 80 minutes with two try assists, while Trey Mooney's 66 came from only 49 minutes on the field. Reed Mahoney matched Ponga's minutes but returned 56, and Scott Drinkwater's night ended at 21 from 68 minutes, the lowest return among the Cowboys' regular starters.
Price moves
Heilum Luki rose $48,000 after scoring 68 against a break even of 28, and Tom Chester rose $30,000 with 47 against a break even of 23. At the other end, Griffin Neame fell $24,000 after managing 15 against a break even of 37, and Braidon Burns dropped $14,000 with 31 against a break even of 45.
Ownership outcome
Dylan Brown, a name in plenty of Fantasy squads, played all 80 minutes but returned just 37. Jake Clifford, also widely held, got through the full game for 37 as well, a modest night for two popular picks.
