Cowboys v Bulldogs preview

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Refreshed after the bye, the Cowboys and Bulldogs look to secure their Top 4 spot in Townsville.

In what shapes as the match of the round, the Cowboys are bolstered by the return of energetic five-eighth Michael Morgan. However, despite his absence the Cowboys have contributed largely what you would expect from Top 4 hopefuls in the past month, with a tough 26-12 loss to Canberra in Round 18 their only blight. Without their Origin contingent, the Cowboys certainly proved themselves a force, with the score line perhaps not reflective of the effort put in by the team as a whole. With a completion rate of 82% it was execution that proved the Cowboys' downfall and similarly a whopping 43 missed tackles did not benefit their chances. The return of Matt Scott and James Tamou up front should assist their task up front, which is made even more challenging this week against a rampaging Bulldogs' pack.

The Bulldogs are my ‘smokies' for the premiership this year, and a lot of their success will depend on halves Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye, with the Dogs already boasting a classy backline and barnstorming forward pack capable of matching any side in the competition. The Bulldogs come into this one looking for 5 straight, an incredible feat for what was considered an inconsistent side at the start of this year. Only supporting their cause this week is their incredible record at 1300Smiles Stadium, winning 12 of 16 games played between these two sides at Townsville. The Bulldogs have also won 21 of 33 meetings overall. The Cowboys, however, are yet to lose at home this season.

Last meeting: Round 9 2015 - Cowboys 23 Bulldogs 16

Who to watch: It is quite clear that this one will be decided by the two most impressive forward packs in the game.

The Cowboys sit second overall for all running metres this season, with 27,595. The Bulldogs, however, sit just above in first place with 27,905. Leading the charge in this category for their respective sides are Jason Taumololo and James Graham. Taumololo has 162 metres a game this season, 10th best in the league, whilst also busting 48 tackles this year in 17 appearances.

Graham, conversely, averages 179 running metres a game, warranting also a higher work rate than Taumololo with an average of 38 tackles a game to Taumololo's 22. Although he does not possess the tackle breaking ability of Taumololo with 15 for the year, his workman like attitude is enormous in a Bulldogs' side that possesses forwards capable of replicating Taumololo in the likes of Sam Kasiano and even the rejuvenated Tony Williams.

The favourite: Cowboys are short priced favourites to account for the Dogs here.

My tip: This one is quite tough with both sides vying for a Top 4 spot and the Dogs in quite good form. The Cowboys do possess a great record at home, however, I think a slow start may cost them here and the Dogs will get on top early and gain an important win. Bulldogs by 1.

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

1. William Hopoate 2. Brett Morris 3. Josh Morris 4. Curtis Rona 5. Sam Perrett 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Moses Mbye 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 12. Greg Eastwood 13. David Klemmer
Interchange: 14. Sam Kasiano 16. Tim Browne 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 19. Danny Fualalo

Referees: Jared Maxwell, Gavin Reynolds; Sideline Officials: Ricky MacFarlane, Tim Roby; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Luke Patten, Steve Chiddy