Cowboys v Dragons preview

Embed from Getty Images

North Queensland Cowboys v St George Illawarra Dragons Saturday 5:30pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba

Cowboys out to Oust Griffin

The North Queensland Cowboys will be aiming for back to back victories when they go up against a St George Illawarra side trying to save Anthony Griffin's job on Super Saturday.

The Cowboys were in great touch in their 20-6 victory over the Roosters at a waterlogged Suncorp Stadium. Their forwards were easily able to win the possession battle and dominate a Roosters pack that was starting to show positive progress after an indifferent start to 2023. Reuben Cotter showed great signs crossing for the first try and also was immense up front. Chad Townsend also atoned his error riddled nightmare against Cronulla with a strong showing. 

This week against the Dragons is a match that everyone will expect them to win. But it's full of danger for the home side. Complacency is an issue that's presented itself for the Cowboys. Everyone remembers the match where they nearly lost to the Tigers at home last year. It'll be a tough match against a resurgent Dragons side trying to save their coaches future so it'll be up to the likes of Cotter, Townsend and season star Tom Dearden to avoid this fate.

Todd Payten keeps a settled side. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown was hit with a high tackle charge for his shot on Jared Waerea-Hargreaves but is free to play after receiving a fine. Riley Price is 18th Man.

For the Dragons. One word will haunt their 2023 season so far. That is execution. They've only been outplayed in two of their seven losses and it's a hard sentence to type. Their last five losses in fact have all been with deficits of under 6 points. Five losses in a row with a combined margin of 13 points. So it's not as bad as the pundits in the NewsCorp media would have you believe, however it's a sign that execution is lacking in big areas. 

To win, they'll need to arrest the "dumb plays" as Ben Hunt kindly put in his post-game chat on FOX League. They run some really great shape and looked a much more effective and cohesive side when Jayden Sullivan came into the game and was able to use his pace to get past a tiring Cowboys defence. That will be handy against a Cowboys pack still missing Jason Taumalolo. Elsewhere, their forwards need to lift and win their positional battles.

Griffin is sticking with the same 17-man Red V squad that suffered a two-point loss to Wests Tigers at Magic Round. Skipper Ben Hunt starts at halfback in his 300th NRL game with Moses Mbye remaining at hooker and Jayden Sullivan on the bench. 

Last meeting: Round 20 2022 - Dragons 8 Cowboys 34

Who to watch: After a strong showing to revitalise his season. Reuben Cotter will be looking to continue to stamp his QLD Origin credentials. After starring in the opener last year, a cruel warm-up injury saw his series end prematurely. In 2023, Cotter has looked off the pace but bounced back nicely leading the troops to victory over a highly fancied Roosters pack. With more performances like that, Cotter's name will again be imprinted for the Maroons.

A player that needs to find consistency too is young gun Tyrell Sloan. It's been a mixed bag season for the highly fancied fullback. After winning the position by default after Cody Ramsey's unfortunate medical diagnosis. Sloan has had a mixed season which has seen the highs (ANZAC Day) and the lows in last week . 

Favourite: Cowboys come into this clash as the favourites with the bookies. In clashes at QCB Stadium, the Cowboys have won two of the three meetings at this venue.

My tip: It's set up for a Cowboys victory. Fresh over a big morale boosting victory and coming back home. The home side are odds on to collect the points in this one. However, if the Dragons are keen on saving Hook's job and show the right attitude then anything can happen in this 2023 Telstra Premiership campaign. But my gut feeling has the Cowboys building their season off their strong showing over the Roosters. Cowboys by 8. 

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Mitchell Dunn 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 21. Brendan Elliot

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 14. Jayden Sullivan 8. Jack de Belin 7. Ben Hunt 10. Blake Lawrie 13. Jack Bird 12. Jaydn Su'A 15. Michael Molo 9. Moses Mbye 18. Toby Couchman 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Josh Kerr 11. Billy Burns

Referees: Chris Butler; Sideline Officials: Belinda Sharpe, Wyatt Raymond; Video Referees: Matt Noyen;