North Queensland have re-entered the NRL's top eight with a 30-8 win over Gold Coast, as playmaker Jaxon Purdue turned from villain to hero.
The Cowboys were coming off a disastrous 82-12 loss to Sydney Roosters, the most points conceded in a premiership match in 91 years. Coach Todd Payten had called it the club's "darkest day".
Key players step up
At Robina in front of 11,740 fans, the Cowboys got the response Payten wanted. Scott Drinkwater, Jason Taumalolo, Heilum Luki and Purdue all made crucial plays to ensure the rout did not derail their season.
It was a test of character, and the Cowboys passed. The win was their 12th of the year, moving them temporarily to seventh on the ladder. One more win may be enough to play finals.
Turning point
The turning point came in the second half with the Cowboys leading 18-8. Purdue had been sin-binned for a professional foul, and two minutes after returning he raced 70m from dummy-half to score an individual try.
Taumalolo set the scene in the fifth minute, breaking a 69-game try drought with a barnstorming charge after a 40/20 by Drinkwater, his third of the season. Taumalolo's previous try was in week one of the 2022 finals series.
Purdue put his halves partner Jake Clifford through a gaping hole for a 12-0 lead after 13 minutes. But the visitors didn't put their foot on the throat, and the Titans found a way back into it.
Titans fight back
Winger Phil Sami's 84th try for the club put him one behind Titans all-time record holder Anthony Don, courtesy of a slick Jaylan De Groot pass. Shocking errors and defence by the Titans handed Cowboys second-rower Luki a try on the cusp of halftime.
Sami equalled "The Don" after halftime with his second try of the night after Purdue's infringement. But the Titans could not make the most of the advantage.
After Purdue's magic, Luki scored his second try of the night to secure a crucial win.
