North Queensland leapfrogged South Sydney into sixth position on the NRL ladder after fullback Scott Drinkwater produced another influential display in a 30-18 win over the Rabbitohs.
Bound for St George Illawarra next year, the talented custodian set up three crucial first-half tries to put the hosts on the front foot in Townsville.
The Cowboys pack - superbly led by Jason Taumalolo, Matt Lodge and Thomas Mikaele up front - were key to the victory.
"We played direct, we played upstream and we ran hard," Cowboys coach Todd Payten said.
"When we kick to corners and stay patient the opposition break more often than not."
The Rabbitohs were playing for the first time since the sad news that forward Jai Arrow was battling motor neurone disease (MND) became public knowledge.
