Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 11 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and St. George Illawarra Dragons. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs. St. George Illawarra Dragons game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday May 13, 2023 at 5:30 pm

Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

North Queensland Cowboys vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Odds

North Queensland Cowboys vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview

A pivotal bottom-four showdown in Townsville, but the previously embattled home side will come in with considerably more momentum after a stunning Magic Round result.

North Queensland was firmly against the ropes after a 1-4 run culminated in a 44-6 capitulation at Cronulla in Round 9, but the biggest outsiders of the weekend in Brisbane outplayed the Roosters 20-6.

The conditions weren’t conducive to fully rectifying a flagging offence, but keeping their tryline intact until the 79th minute was a huge uptick for Todd Payten’s side.

St George Illawarra has replaced the Cowboys in second-last thanks to five straight losses – four by two points or less.

The Dragons’ inability to ice games against lowly-rated Bulldogs and Tigers sides in consecutive 18-16 losses has all but ruined their finals hopes and sealed Anthony Griffin’s fate.

On top of the contentious call to axe Zac Lomax and Jacob Liddle, Griffin switched linchpin Ben Hunt to hooker and the Saints often appeared rudderless. Jayden Sullivan’s performance in the halves was a rare positive.

The Cowboys have won their last three against the Dragons, including convincing wins at home (31-12) and in Sydney (34-8) last season.

Each of the teams’ last five clashes all produced at least 42 points and the Saints have won just two of their last nine in Townsville.

Both sides are unchanged, with Hunt – who celebrates his 300th game – named at halfback but likely to spend a chunk of the game at dummy-half again.

The Saints are 0-5 on the road in 2023, while the Cowboys, despite their underwhelming season to date, are 3-2 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Last week’s circuit-breaking result should have provided enough momentum for the hosts to get the job done on Saturday.

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