Match Centre

Round 1: Dolphins v Cowboys preview

Andy casts his eye over this weekend's game between the Dolphins and the North Queensland Cowboys.

Queensland teams ready to lock horns for the last game of round 1

The Cauldron will be set to boil over as two Queensland teams prepare to clash. This Sunday's game will mark the third meeting between The Dolphins and the North Queensland Cowboys, offering a chance for bragging rights not only in terms of wins against each other but also wins on the hallowed turf of Queensland Rugby League.

A mixed bag of results for both teams leading up to the Premiership season, both performance-wise and on the injury list. But it gave us a sneak peek of what will be on offer.

Assistant coach Kristian Woolf said the Dolphins showed grit in their first preseason game but gave away too many penalties. He also noted performances from Jamayne Isaako, Jack Bostock and Jake Averillo.

However, in their second preseason game in Auckland, it was a different story, with the Dolphins not managing to find a rhythm to threaten the Warriors at any stage during the game. 

A worrying trend for Wayne Bennett would be the Dolphin's tackling efforts in the last preseason game; missing 47 tackles, they showed gaps that will either be fixed or exposed. 

It wasn't the start to the preseason the Cowboys wanted, but a thumping at the hands of the Brisbane Broncos gave them some talking points as they adjusted for game two accordingly.

Scott Drinkwater was in fine form for the last pre-season game against the Raiders. Setting up many tries and generally baffling the other team's defence. Kyle Feldt showed great form, finishing off three tries, two of which came by some scintillating rugby league from Drinkwater.

The drawbacks of these pre-season games were that both teams lost key forwards. Five minutes into the second half of the last pre-season game, Tom Gilbert went down with what is a tragic blow to the back-rower, out for the year with a ruptured ACL. In an unfortunate twist, Coen Hess will also be missing time this year for the Cowboys with a torn ACL.

Round 26 of the premiership season 2023 was the last time these two teams met, and the Cowboys came up trumps in that game at Suncorp Stadium. Showing they love Suncorp almost as much as the Dolphins, the Cowboys ran away winners that day 34-10. 

Getting that first win for the season is a moral booster every team wants. The Dolphins rallied as a team for the first part of their inaugural season off the back of a round 1 win against the Roosters. There is some noise of this being Bennett's last year with the Dolphins, and he has had early coaching success in the past, giving St George a long-needed premiership and South Sydney a taste of the big dance all in his second year for both teams. 

The 30th year of the North Queensland Cowboys franchise saw a change of guard by Coach Todd Payten, with young guns Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden given captain duties for 2024. Payten has rewarded two of his most gutsy players, with hopes no less that their work ethic will bleed into the team from the top down.

Last meeting: Round 26 2023 - Dolphins 10 Cowboys 34

Who to watch:  I look at these team sheets, and I can't help but smile at what a game we will be privy to on Sunday. The head-to-head battles stand out from top to bottom. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow against Scott Drinkwater, threatening with each run.

The outside back talents of Valentine Holmes and Herbie Farnworth. And let's say both forward packs, but a special mention goes to ###b/b### and Reuben Cotter.

However, the battle of the hookers will be a treat. If Robson can set a platform up via his forwards, Dearden and Drinkwater will cause havoc and deliver finishes for their outside backs with ease.

Favourite: North Queensland has the bet makers on their side, and if we are going off both teams' last performances via the preseason games, I would wholeheartedly agree. They have the ducks to line up for a win.

My tip:  I'm leaning in on the Dolphins taking this one. The team is in good spirits even with a leader like Tom Gilbert on the sideline. This is definitely a team with more depth this year, and if Wayne Bennett's legacy is anything to go by, this will be a more decisive year than last, so I feel they are going to start it the right way. Dolphins by 6 in a nail-biter.