LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
After a humiliating 43-24 defeat to the Dolphins, Greg Alexander declared the North Queensland Cowboys out of finals contention this NRL season.
He specifically criticized Queensland State of Origin champion Reuben Cotter for his disappointing club performance, reflecting ongoing concerns about the team's defensive capabilities.
The Cowboys struggled defensively throughout the match, allowing the Dolphins to score seven tries compared to their four.
This loss left North Queensland with the worst defensive record in the league, having conceded an alarming 531 points over 18 games-averaging nearly 30 points against per game.
This poor performance puts additional pressure on coach Todd Payten, as the Cowboys find themselves five points behind the top eight with just six matches remaining.
Alexander stated, "Put a line through the Cowboys after last night, it's the end of them...
Even though their draw is favourable, and they still have a bye up their sleeves, I can't see the Cowboys rallying after that." His comments reflect his belief that the team's recent form significantly diminishes their chances of success moving forward.
Furthermore, Alexander raised concerns regarding Cotter's form.
Despite his success in the State of Origin series, where he performed admirably, Cotter's club form this season has been lackluster, averaging only 88 run metres and fewer than nine hit-ups per game across his 12 club matches.
As the Cowboys' chances of making the finals dwindle, attention now turns to whether they can regroup and improve on a deeply troubling season.