NRL Round 9 Match Preview: Rounding Up the Cowboys

Author: bulldogs.com.au
Timestamp: Thu 30 Apr 2026, 10:19 AM

The Bulldogs and Cowboys will kick off Round 9 on Friday night as Rugby League returns to Accor Stadium after two weeks on the road.

For Cameron Ciraldo's men, it's an opportunity to make a statement after two disappointing losses, while the Cowboys will be out to claim their sixth win of the season after overcoming the Sharks in a high-scoring affair up in Townsville last round.

In celebration of our return home, we're offering $15 Tickets for Silver and General Admission, as well as 50% off Family Tickets and Groups of 11 or more!*

For $15 Tickets, simply purchase from either Silver or General Admission categories on Ticketmaster!
Family Tickets are 50% off! Use the password R9FAMILY to redeem.
Groups of 11 people of more can save 50%! Use the password GROUPS9 to unlock 50% off Silver, Kennel, Blue Zone and General Admission Tickets in one transaction!

Head out of work early and help us fill Accor Stadium on Friday night! Get your Round 9 tickets here!

Round 9 - Round 9 - Friday 1 May

8:00 am

Bulldogs

Cowboys

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney

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Team Lists Get Tickets

Download Your 2026 NRL Team Poster here!

As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 9 Match Preview.

Teamlists and Team News
History vs Cowboys and Last Time Out
Key Match Up
What They Said
Stat Attack
Where to Watch

Teamlists and Team News

Viliame Kikau (pectoral) has been replaced in the back row by Sitili Tupouniua with Josh Curran added to the bench. Enari Tuala's return on the wing from a hamstring injury sees Marcelo Montoya drop to the bench. The loss of Harry Hayes to suspension brings Lipoi Hopoi into the squad. Utility Sean O'Sullivan is listed among the reserves after serving a suspension incurred in NSW Cup.

For the Cowboys, Zac Laybutt comes in on the wing for Murray Taulagi (concussion). Jeremiah Nanai is named to start with Thomas Mikaele on the bench but they may swap on game day as they did last week. Teenager Mason Barber is part of the six-man interchange as he closes in on an NRL debut.

Round 9 - Round 9 - Friday 1 May

8:00 am

Bulldogs

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jonathan Sua

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari Tuala

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Zac Laybutt
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Samuel Hughes

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Coen Hess
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Sitili Tupouniua

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Sam McIntyre
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Lipoi Hopoi

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Thomas Mikaele
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jake Turpin

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Marcelo Montoya

Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Matthew Lodge
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Alekolasimi Jones

Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 Mason Barber

Reserves

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Sean O'Sullivan

Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Kai O'Donnell
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Logan Spinks

Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Kaiden Lahrs
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Jethro Rinakama

Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Robert Derby

Alekolasimi Jones
Enari Tuala
Lipoi Hopoi
Logan Spinks
Sean O'Sullivan

Kai O'Donnell
Kaiden Lahrs
Mason Barber
Robert Derby

Harry Hayes
Viliame Kikau

Murray Taulagi

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 4/29/2026 11:50:32 PM

History vs Cowboys and Last Time Out: Round 19, 2025

The Sydney Bulldogs welcomed the North Queensland Cowboys into the ARL back in Round 1 1995 - yep, you can read that again - in what was a very different time in the Rugby League world.

Extended Highlights: Bulldogs vs Cowboys - Round 1, 1995

A double to Jarrod McCracken and six goals courtesy of Daryl Halligan led the Blue and Whites to a comfortable 32-16 victory against the competition newcomers, before the return game resulted in a 66-4 demolition at Belmore Sports Ground in the final round of the regular season.

After taking out the Premiership that year in one of the greatest underdog stories in the competition's history, the Bulldogs have gone on to enjoy 26 victories from 47 matches against the Cowboys.

Our last match against them was a tense affair up in Townsville, with a brave effort in the heat culminating in a 12-8 victory. Youngster Jethro Rinakama marked his first-grade debut with a try that ultimately proved the difference between the two sides.

NRL Match Highlights: Bulldogs v Cowboys - Round 19, 2025

Key Match Up: Origin Audition for Second Rowers

With the State of Origin period quickly approaching, Friday night acts as a prime audition for two hopefuls in Jacob Preston and Heilum Luki to stake their claim for a spot in the Blues and Maroons squads respectively.

Both have proven to be tryscorers this year with Preston bagging three in seven matches, while Luke has touched down four times in his eight appearances. Not only that, but it's six line breaks to five in favour of the Bulldogs fan favourite.

Presto Seals The Win

The similarities continue with Preston averaging 103 metres to Luki's 108, while they also boast an impressive tackle efficiency over 90%.

Only two games separate the pair in terms of career tallies, with the Bulldogs' strike weapon sitting on 67 appearances and the Cowboys' backrower on 65. To round it all off, both are born in 2001, just incase things couldn't get any closer.

Make sure you keep a close eye on these two to see who comes out on top in this all-important match.

What They Said: Stephen Crichton & Jake Turpin

Stephen Crichton Round 9 Media

Jake Turpin Round 9 Media

Stat Attack via NRL.com

Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored five tries in his last six games at Accor Stadium.
Enari Tuala has scored five tries in six matches on the wing for the Bulldogs.
The Cowboys have won their past two matches at Accor Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.