North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers - Round 26, 2026
The result
Wests Tigers led at halftime 10 to 8, but the Cowboys pulled clear after the break to win 24 to 10 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Wests Tigers never got closer than 2 points once the Cowboys hit the front, and tries either side of the hour to Heilum Luki and Jaxon Purdue settled it.
How it unfolded
The Cowboys made 40 tackle breaks to Wests Tigers' 25 and ran for 1540 metres to Wests Tigers' 1350, muscling their way through a game they did not dominate on completion rate, where Wests Tigers finished ahead 82 percent to 71.
Against projection
Jason Taumalolo scored 60 against a projection of 42, and Thomas Mikaele's 50 came in 14 above his own number off the bench. At the other end, Tom Dearden managed 39 against a projection of 61, and Griffin Neame was hauled off after just 17 minutes for 12 points.
Price moves
Junior Tupou's price rose $24,000 after a score of 35 against a break even of 15, and Alex Seyfarth's rose $23,000 with 37 against a break even of just 13. At the other end, Jake Clifford's price fell $34,000, well short of his break even of 62, while Bunty Afoa dropped $19,000 after 13 points against a break even of 32.
Ownership outcome
Terrell May, owned by 31.3 percent and captained by 5.3 percent, justified the attention with 68 points. Apisai Koroisau, held by only 2.6 percent, matched his projection of 49 exactly, a quiet return that few coaches were there to see.
