Broncos v Cowboys preview

Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys
Suncorp Stadium - Friday 8:35pm

Our first all Queensland Derby for 2015 and we have two teams struggling for form and desperate for the 2 competition points.

The Brisbane Broncos will be buoyed slightly by the fact that they beat the cellar dwelling Cronulla Sharks away from home last week 10-2, but it was hardly a convincing performance. Brisbane's defence look a lot better than it did in the Round 1 loss however this may have been due more to Cronulla's toothless attack then any great defence by the Broncos.
The Broncos will be wanting their attack and defence to be on the same page against a desperate Cowboys team searching for their first win of season 2015.
There are no fresh changes for the Broncos, with Centre Dale Copely still out with a troublesome calf injury. Jordan Kahu again retains the number 1 jersey after a much improved performance against Cronulla.
In 32 matches since the NRL started in 1998, the broncos have won a phenomenal 23 of 32 clashes against the Cowboys. However the Cowboys have won 5 of the past 8 including the past 3 which also included Week 1 of the Finals last year when the Cowboys triumphed over the Brisbane side 32-20 to end their 2014 season.

The Cowboys have started their season 0-2 for the first time since 2008, they kept it close with the Knights for their clash last week. The big blow for the Townsville boys is the fact they have had their first two games at home, a place they don't lose at very often.

Cowboys have reshuffled their team for this round 3 clash. Former Panther Lachlan Coote is in at Fullback and Michael Morgan replaces Robert Lui at Five-Eighth. Coote can be an excitement machine from the back so the change could be a welcome change for North Queensland.

Look for Australian International Jonathan Thurston to hit his straps in this one and help the Cowboys stuttering attack.

Last meeting: Finals Week 1 2014 - North Queensland Cowboys 32 Brisbane Broncos 20

Who to watch: For the Broncos look for Halfback Ben Hunt to have a big game. He has been relatively quiet in the first two games compared to last years stellar 2014 campaign.
If his short kicking game is on song then the Broncs will score a lot of points. Also keep an eye out for his sort passes to his big backrowers. Specifically Matt Gillett and Sam Thaiday close to the line. Hunt has the ability to turn the game on it's head and the Broncos faithful will be hoping for this as they search for their second win in a row.

I think everyone knows who to watch for the Cowboys. Jonathan Thurston!

He has been the backbone of the club since hos move from the Bulldogs in 2004. I think Jonathan will admit through his own performances that he has had a slow start to 2015. What we do know about Thurston is that he is one of the best players in the world when in form. Look for Thurston to have a big one in this game. Derby games always bring out the best in star players and think it'll be no different with JT.

Keep a close eye on his combination with both Lachlan Coote and Gavin Cooper. Cooper scored 6 tries last year mainly through his left edge combination with Thurston, look for more of the same on Friday night.

The favourite: This is an absolute coin flip. Money has gone both ways, and the bookies don't know who to favour.

My tip: Despite having the home ground advantage and the wood on North Queensland I'm going to have to bet against the Broncos in this one. They have struggled for points in both games this year and think their defence still has some work to do.

The Cowboys on the other hand are due for a win and I expect Jonathan Thurston to have a big game and guide his side home. He is a class player who loves to play against Brisbane. Cowboys to win by 10.

1. Jordan Kahu 2. Corey Oates 3. Jack Reed 4. Justin Hodges 5. Lachlan Maranta 6. Anthony Milford 7. Ben Hunt 8. Josh McGuire 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Adam Blair 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Corey Parker
14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Jo Ofanhengaue 16. Sam Thaiday 17. Kodi Nikorima

1. Lachlan Coote 2. Justin O'Neill 3. Matthew Wright 4. Kane Linnett 5. Kyle Feldt 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathan Thurston 8. Matthew Scott 9. Rory Kostjasyn 10. Ben Hannant 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Jake Granville 15. Kelepi Tanginoa 16. Scott Bolton 17. James Tamou 18. John Asiata

Referees: Gerard Sutton, Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: Brett Suttor, Michael Wise; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Luke Patten;

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