Cowboys' best win under Payten as Roosters, Tigers, Eels falter on Magic Round day

Cowboys coach Todd Payten hailed his side's 18-12 victory over the Roosters as the best he's had with the club on a Magic Round day that sparkled and infuriated in equal measure.

Manly Warringah crushed a worryingly poor Wests Tigers team 46-18 in the opening game, before the Storm fumbled their way past the Eels in a woeful, error-strewn contest to conclude the day with a 34-8 win.

But the performance of the day was North Queensland, who came from behind to power past the Roosters with three first-half tries in nine minutes the difference, despite having Matthew Lodge and Reuben Cotter sin binned in each half.

"That's as good a win as I've had as head coach at this club in six years," Payten said.

"[It was] Really disappointing off the back of last week and took some tough lessons out of that and applied them tonight.

"[We were] Really composed, gritty, 12 men for 20 minutes, everyone worked hard and kept turning up and just found a way."

Despite missing Tom Dearden, Jason Taumalolo, Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi, the Cowboys stood up in a big way, particularly halfback Jake Clifford, who did his Origin hopes no harm at all with a superb performance.

"He was sick through the week … but he really dialled in. His kicking game got us over the line," Payten said.

The Roosters' Sam Walker is also in contention for that Maroons seven jersey, and also performed brilliantly, answering critics of his defence with a fine display where he made 23 tackles, missing just two.

"he's a really good player. He's definitely ready to play [Origin]," Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.

Tricolours captain and fullback James Tedesco is also in the frame for a recall to the Origin arena, but was well below his best, making three handling errors and two others in a below-par display.

The best moment of the game for the Roosters though was for Cody Ramsey in the 10th minute, when the winger scored his first try in 1,351 days after an inspired recovery from ulcerative colitis.

'Outstanding' Olakau'atu puts hand up for Origin

Wests Tigers were absolutely dominated in the opening game, losing by Manly Warringah, with Haumole Olakau'atu and Clayton Faulalo in particular excelling for the Sea Eagles.

Olakau'atu scored a try, ran for a whopping 261 metres with three line breaks and a try assist and made 11 tackle breaks from 17 hit ups.

"I don't think he can do any more," said Manly coach Kieran Foran, who has now guided his side to a sixth win in seven games since taking over.

"Haumole has been outstanding the whole season and our near-best player each and every week."

Clayton Faulalo was also superb for the Sea Eagles, completing perfect auditions for the Blues Origin squad which will be announced on Monday.

The fullback, who can play anywhere in the back line, ran for 262 metres, had two try assists, four line break assists and a try.

The injury-whacked Tigers have now suffered three heavy defeats in a row and face being without centre Taylan May, who aggravated a shoulder he previously injured and left the field in the 73rd minute.

Errors condemn Eels to another defeat

Errors were the story of the match for the Storm and the Eels, who combined to make 31 errors in a horror showing under the Lang Park lights.

There were few redeeming qualities to this game, but the Storm still managed a trademark try for the ages.

Harry Grant darted out of dummy half and raced down field into the Eels half, passing to Cameron Munster on his inside.

Munster and Jahrome Hughes exchanged passes in a magical, flowing move before the Maroons captain found Sualauvi Fa'alogo, who released Jack Howarth to score in the corner.

There were other moments, Paris Olympian Moses Leo making some wonderful runs of his own, but the horror error count overshadowed everything, as the stands rapidly emptied.

Look back on how all the action unfolded in our live blog.