The Canberra Raiders returned to winning form on Sunday afternoon with a convincing 26-12 victory over the North Queensland Cowboys at GIO Stadium in Round 13 of the 2026 NRL season.
Playing in front of their home crowd, Canberra came out with intensity and controlled much of the match from the opening stages. The Raiders built an early lead through aggressive defence and quick attacking movements, putting the Cowboys under pressure from the start. Reports from the match noted Canberra scored three tries in a rapid burst that helped establish control of the contest.
The win was made even more special as forward Hudson Young celebrated his 150th NRL appearance. Canberra's forwards laid the platform through the middle while their backs capitalised on opportunities out wide.
Young playmaker Ethan Strange continued his impressive season with another standout performance, scoring a try and helping create attacking chances throughout the game. His strong form has continued to attract attention following recent State of Origin discussions.
For the Cowboys, it was a frustrating afternoon. Coach Todd Payten criticised his side's defensive effort after the match, pointing to missed tackles and a lack of aggression as key reasons for the defeat. North Queensland struggled to contain Canberra's momentum and were unable to fully recover after falling behind early.
The final score of 26-12 reflected Canberra's dominance across most areas of the game and gave the Raiders an important confidence boost as they look to build momentum through the middle stages of the season. The Cowboys, meanwhile, will be looking to regroup quickly ahead of their next match.
With the win, the Raiders showed they remain a dangerous side when playing at home, delivering one of their most complete performances of the 2026 campaign so far.
