Mcb777 APPNRL 2025, round 21, live blog, Brisbane Broncos, Parramatta Eels, North Queensland Cowboys, St George Illawarra Dragons, match highlights, coaches media conferences, injuries, updates

Friday night lights: Cowboys v Dragons; Broncos v Eels

Author: Cameron Mee NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Fri 25 Jul 2025, 05:41 PM

All eyes turn to Queensland on Friday night as the Round 21 action hots up with games in Townsville and Brisbane.

The Cowboys and Dragons kick us off in a desperate battle to keep their finals dreams alive and the prospect of plenty of free-flowing footy before we head south to Suncorp Stadium for the Broncos-Eels clash.

The Broncos are riding a five-game winning streak and have rediscovered their mojo in a big way with Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs and Gehamat Shibasaki running hot.

The top four remains very much on the radar for the Broncos and they'll be expected to keep the roll going in front of their loyal fans on Friday night.

Follow all the Round 21 action on 42025.com's live blog.

Cowboys v Dragons at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Round 21 - Round 21 - Friday 25 Jul

8:00 am

Cowboys

Dragons

Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

WatchNRL

Team Lists Match Preview

Stat Attack

The Cowboys have won their last five games against the Dragons.
The Dragons have won only three of their past 15 games at Queensland venues.
The Cowboys have lost four of their past five games at home.
Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan has scored four tries in his past three games.
Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored four tries in his last four games against the Dragons.

Late Mail

Cowboys: John Bateman will return from a groin injury that has sidelined him since Round 18 and will start in the back row, with Harrison Edwards shifting to prop to replace the injured Tom Mikaele (knee). The loss of Murray Taulagi to a hamstring injury will see Braidon Burns shift to the wing and Jaxon Purdue return to the centres, with Tom Duffy the new five-eighth. The Cowboys will line up 1-17, with Jaxson Paulo the 18th man.

Dragons: One late change for the Dragons, with prop Blake Lawrie added to the starting side and Emre Guler moving to the bench. Mat Feagai is set for his first NRL game since Round 7 after a shoulder injury to Sione Finau prompted a backline reshuffle. Corey Allan shifts to the wing, with Feagai coming into the centres after making a successful return from an ankle injury via NSW Cup. Nick Tsougranis is the 18th man.