Holmes’ switch a winner for NRL Cowboys

Alex Mitchell | April 15, 2022

Valentine Holmes’ exciting form since moving into the centres full-time has continued with another brilliant showing against the Canberra Raiders.

The North Queensland Cowboy found 137m, two line breaks and six tackle busts to go with a crucial try, bursting through a hole in the Raiders’ line to level the scores after his side had trailed 12-0 at halftime.

But his numbers mightn’t do his performance justice, having regularly made things happen as the Cowboys struggled to threaten early in their 18-12 win at GIO Stadium.

Holmes described it as another positive step in his journey from his previous fullback and wing roles to being a centre.

“It’s only round six and I’m building combinations outside Tommy (Dearden) and with Muz (Murray Taulagi), I’m really enjoying it,” he told AAP.

“It’s a new move for me and I’m really liking it at the moment so hopefully I can stay healthy and stay out there and keep performing.”

After the huge turnaround saw his team score three second-half tries to pinch the points, Holmes credited the side for fixing its discipline after putting scoring opportunities on a platter for the Raiders early.

“It was just discipline stuff … just giving them piggybacks, giving a quality team that much possession they’re gonna put points on,” he said.

“We reassessed at halftime and kept them to zero points in second half so I thought we did well there, and to score 18 points against them at their home is a massive effort.

“Obviously we had a couple of close games, we can’t get them back, but to be 3-3 at the moment and go on to the long weekend to rest our bodies and reassess on Monday, I’m pretty happy with where we’re at.”

The Cowboys now have a nine-day break after playing their fourth consecutive match on a six-day turnaround.