Thurston guides Cowboys to win over Bulldogs

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WINNERS: Gavin Cooper (number 11) of the Cowboys is congratulated by team mates after scoring a try during the round one NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the North Queensland Cowboys.

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North Queensland and Canterbury confirmed just how valuable their respective stars are with Cowboys maestro Johnathan Thurston guiding his team to a 24-12 NRL win over the Ben Barba-less Bulldogs.

The off-contract Thurston took no time showing why he's the most  sought-after man in the NRL, setting up three tries in a  master-class performance, the first inside the opening 60 seconds  of the Cowboys' season in Gosford.

Canterbury were without seven players from last year's grand  final-qualifying team but it was no surprise the most significant  absentee was Barba, who is out of the game indefinitely as he  battles personal issues.

The Bulldogs soldiered on without forwards James Graham  (suspended), Sam Kasiano and Frank Pritchard (both injured), but  sorely missed the match-turning ability of Barba and the confidence  he brings the team.

Last year, the Bulldogs rolled over the top of teams like an  unstoppable machine.

But without Barba, their error rate was high and they took poor  options at the crucial moments.

That's not to say Barba's replacement at fullback Drury Low  wasn't impressive, and that the 'Dogs aren't capable of shaking off  early season rust.

For the Cowboys, it might only be round one, but beating last  year's grand finalists away from home in Gosford was an encouraging  sign for a side many believe capable of delivering the club its  first premiership.

It's not as if Cowboys officials needed reminding of how crucial  Thurston is to their organisation, but the way the Queensland  five-eighth ran the show on Saturday made it abundantly clear they  must throw everything into keeping their skipper.

Thurston is being chased by a number of Sydney clubs including  Penrith.

A Thurston bomb delivered Ashley Graham a first-minute try, when  Bulldogs winger Steve Turner fumbled.

However, the Bulldogs rode their luck with some fortunate  deflections and Josh Reynolds and Turner gave them a 12-4 lead.

The advantage was short-lived, as Thurston put tries on a  platter for Gavin Cooper and Antonio Winterstein for an 18-12  halftime scoreline.

Try-scoring specialist Graham completed a double in the 59th  minute from a Matt Bowen cut-out pass, and some resilient goal-line  defence ensured a 12-point lead was enough.

- AAP