The North Queensland Cowboys have illustrated why they are odds on favourites to repeat their premiership success after crushing the Roosters at home in Townsville.

With the match played in slippery conditions after a week of rain in the north, the Cowboys were on top from the opening minutes and showed little regard for the fumbling Roosters side, running out winners by 40 – 0.

A 70 per cent completion rate and seven tries unanswered tries would please most coaches but Cowboys mentor Paul Green certainly wasn’t getting carried away after the match.