The Cowboys may be counting more than the cost of Ssaturday's loss as captain Emma Manzelmann picked up an ankle injury.
The hooker got her foot entangled in a tackle and instantly hobbled off the Belmore Sports Ground field in the 11th minute.
"She's got a bit of an ankle problem. We haven't been able to diagnose it at this point," Cowboys coach Ricky Henry said.
Manzelmann's loss would deal a huge blow to North Queensland's ambitions of avoiding the wooden spoon as they've claimed just one victory this campaign.
Canterbury had the worst possible start when centre Daynah Nankivell was sent to the sin bin for a hip drop tackle, and Cowboys fullback Francesca Goldthorp capitalised to score.
But the Bulldogs flicked a switch, scoring four unanswered tries in 10 minutes to take a 20-6 lead at the break.
Star recruits Margot Vella and Ash Marsters gave the visitors a glimmer of hope before Canterbury's Elizabeth MacGregor crossed in the 48th minute.
Cowboys interchange Tiana Raftstrand-Smith scored a quick double to close the gap to two points.
The Bulldogs hung tough though, as they rallied following their horror 34-4 loss to Brisbane last round.
Later, the Warriors outlined their top-six credentials by defeating Newcastle 22-14 in a pulsating clash at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.
After making a series of star-studded roster changes in the off-season, the Kiwis led by former Knights premiership coach Ronald Griffiths entered this year as one of the most anticipated teams.
But they risked falling to a third loss in five games after a crushing 18-16 defeat by Gold Coast last Sunday.
Fired up from an impassioned pre-game ceremony, winger Tysha Ikenasio found back-to-back early four-pointers before Newcastle substitute Simone Karpani stormed over.
Knights recruit Kirra Dibb went on an 80m tear to help the visitors lead 12-10, but the Warriors right edge continued to thrive, and Ikenasio notched her hat-trick before centre Stacey Waaka extended their advantage.
Minutes later, fullback Apii Nicholls pounced on her own kick and chase to seal victory.
At Ocean Protect Stadium, teenage sensation Sienna Ibrahim produced a dazzling debut to help Gold Coast beat an injury-ravaged Cronulla 24-10.
The Sharks casualty ward ballooned in recent days with halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu (ankle) and winger Cassie Staples injured, while forward Rhiannon Byers, lock Najvada George and centre Annessa Biddle had leg issues.
Despite being without them, Cronulla were valiant, opening the scoring through debutant Milla Elaro after Titans winger Indie Bostock was binned.
But the visitors put foot to throttle, running in three tries to one, including a diving effort from Ibrahim to lead 14-10 at halftime.
After losing winger Georgia Ravics, the Sharks' afternoon worsened as both Ibrahim and lock Sienna Lofipo secured respective doubles and Gold Coast equalled a club-record five consecutive wins.
10°C