Round 16: Cowboys v Panthers preview
The top of the table Panthers travel to Townsville to take on the Cowboys, who's season is holding on by a thread.
This win would be valuable to both sides, with the Panthers being able to consolidate their number one position on the ladder and the Cowboys looking to inch their way out of the bottom eight.
Ten players total are missing out on this clash due to Origin Game II, so the team depths will be tested, and seeing what they can do under the pressure.
North QLD are fresh off a bye, following arguably their best win of the season so far against the Storm, where they won 45-20. However, they will be missing star players from this match due to Origin duties, Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi and Reece Robson, who between them made 428 run metres and 46 tackles.
Jason Taumalolo is returning to the side after suffering a knee injury and a few false starts, bringing some relief to the Cowboys who are missing Valentine Holmes, Reuben Cotter, Murray Taulagi, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson due to Origin. The bench includes Kulikefu Finefeuiaki along with mid-season signing Sam McIntyre, who is making his North QLD club debut on Friday night. To cover the Origin gaps, Jake Granville is starting hooker, Zac Laybutt in the centre and Kyle Feldt returning to the wing after being 18th man last time they played.
Penrith have had an outstanding season so far, sitting in equal first place alongside the Broncos, with the only thing currently setting them apart is the Panthers stellar defence. They most recently defeated the Roosters, and although missing star halfback Nathan Cleary they managed to outplay and outperform the tricolours to make it an easy win, despite two failed HIA's and a 72nd minute sin bin.
Much like the Cowboys, the Panthers are missing a plethora of players due to NSW Blues duties, with Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Brian To'o being named. Jaeman Salmon will be playing in the halves alongside Jack Cogger, with Tyrone Peachey in the centre, Thomas Jenkins on the wing and Matthew Eisenhuth as starting prop. Luke Garner plays his first game of NRL since Round 4 on the bench, as well as Zac Hosking returning after being rested in R15. After the results of last weeks Roosters' clash, Moses Leota has been named after failing a HIA and later being deemed a Category 2; Spencer Leniu took an early plea at the judiciary, accepting a monetary fine and no match suspension.
North QLD do not have a good record against Penrith, with the Panthers winning four of their past five matchups. However, the Cowboys have had mostly good performances at home this season, only losing two matchs out of seven, those being against the Warriors in Round 3 and Dolphins in Round 6.
This Friday night match will present a challenge to the Cowboys, being one of the lower ranked defensive teams in the competition where they have conceded 351 points, 200 more than the Panthers. Penrith have had excellent defence as of the past five rounds, where they have only conceded seven tries, so North QLD will have to fight a strong defensive wall in order to get some points on the board.
Last meeting: Round 25 2022 - Cowboys 38 Panthers 8
Who to watch: With numerous of the Cowboys attacking players missing out of the game, this is a chance for many players to step up and show their worth. I'm interested to see the efforts of Tom Dearden, who was left out as Maroons 18th man due to the Cowboys club commitments. Dearden has scored 4 tries this year and Friday night will be a chance for him to step up in the team and maybe make some magic.
One of Penrith's best players, Dylan Edwards, has scored eight tries this year, which includes four against Manly in Round 6. With the Panthers missing key members of their spine along with centres, wingers and forwards they are facing the Cowboys with a side lacking depth, and Edwards will have to step up and fill in these gaps. It'll be intriguing to see what he does in attack with a younger side surrounding him.
Favourite: Penrith are favoured to take the two competition points and retain their position on the ladder for another week.
My tip: Both sides are lacking depth due to injury and Origin duties, with the Panthers especially not boasting a side that we are used to watching. I think the Cowboys have a fighting chance to win if they make smart attacking decisions and play with strong defence. In my opinion the game could go either way, but I'm backing the Cowboys to really turn up and give Penrith a good go. Cowboys by 4.
