The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys travel to Sydney to face the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Sharks Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
1. TRIPLE TON
Second-rower John Bateman celebrates 300 games across the NRL and Super League this weekend. Bateman debuted in the top-flight for Bradford as a 17-year-old in 2011 and went on to register 219 Super League appearances across stints with the Bulls, Wigan and Warrington. The 31-year-old has compiled 80 NRL appearances with stops at Canberra, Wests Tigers and now North Queensland.
2. RAISE THE BAT
Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden is set for his 100th appearance for the club this weekend. Dearden will become the 34th player to reach the milestone for the club and fourth youngest, trailing only Jason Taumalolo, Matthew Bowen and Josh Hannay.
3. HALF CENTURY
Cowboys middle forward Harrison Edwards will mark 50 NRL games when he takes the field to face the Sharks on Sunday. Edwards made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs in 2022 and appeared in 17 games for the club before joining the Cowboys mid-way through 2024. He has since registered 32 games for North Queensland, playing in various positions including prop, lock and hooker.
4. OFF THE MARK
Prop Emarly Bitungane has been named to make his NRL debut this weekend. Born in Tanzania to Burundian parents, Bitungane relocated to Australia in 2007 and didn’t take up rugby league until the age of 15. He has registered 44 Queensland Cup appearances for the Northern Pride and Townsville Blackhawks.
