Cowboys v Broncos preview

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North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos Saturday 5:30pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba

The Broncos look to pull off a miracle with their season hanging on by the thinnest of threads, whilst the Cowboys are trying to consolidate their top eight position. 

The home side claimed their 12th win of the season last week where they defeated the Tigers 48-30. The high scoring match highlighted that the Cowboys have some defensive work to do, especially when five of their eight tries came in the last 30 minutes where the Tigers were down to twelves players. 

Reuben Cotter returns to the side after missing last week due to concussion protocols, which sees Harrison Edwards revert to the bench, where there was a void due to Jake Granville suffering a pectoral injury. Despite suffering a head knock against the Tigers, Heilum Luki has been named. In honour of Carl Webb the No.12 jersey has been retired for the match which sees Jeremiah Nanai don the number 24 on his back instead. 

Last week saw the Broncos season from hell and fall from grace continue, being defeated by the Titans for the second time this season, with a final score of 46-18, after leading the Titans 18-10 at halftime. Brisbane can hypothetically make the finals if they win every match left of the regular season and the teams swarming around the eight don't get the wins to make the eight (it'll need a miracle and a half). 

With Ezra Mam and Payne Haas suffering injuries against the Titans it sees shifts in the Broncos side, with Josh Rogers returning to play five eighth whilst Xavier Willison moves from the bench into the starting side. Veteran winger Corey Oates has been dropped with Josiah Karapani taking his place, and Tristan Sailor filling the void on the bench. 

The OG QLD Derby has always been a hit, where these two times have faced each other 57 times since 1998 with the Broncos coming out on top with a total of 36 wins and the Cowboys with 20. They previously met in Round 4 at Suncorp Stadium which saw the Broncos come out on top 38-12. 

Last meeting: Round 4 2024 - Broncos 38 Cowboys 12

Who to watch: Future of the Cowboys, Tom Dearden, has scored six tries in 18 appearances this year, whilst also making seven try assists and 10 line break assists. With Townsend Bondi-bound next year, Dearden's playmaking skills will be even more important in the coming seasons for the North QLD side.

Scoring eleven tries in his last ten games, Reece Walsh is electric, also having six try assists, 13 line breaks and 58 tackle breaks. Though is becomes evident in games that despite his speed and ability to just dance around defenders, Walsh does sometimes play too fast for his own good, and he needs to work on his defence which has cost the Brisbane side too many times. 

FAVOURITE: Cowboys are favoured to get the win over their "big brother" at home. 

MY TIP: My heart wants the Broncos to win, but I think that's asking for too much at this point, so my brain is saying Cowboys. The Cowboys have had an up and down season but have recently found some more consistency and are stringing together more wins than losses. For the Broncos they have just had so many issues across the board this season and although I would like them to turn it around, I think these final rounds with continue to sting. Cowboys by 12.

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. Heilum Luki 24. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Harrison Edwards 18. Jaxon Purdue 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame 15. Thomas Mikaele

1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Tristan Sailor 17. Martin Taupau

Referees: Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials: David Munro, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski; Video Referees: Matt Noyen;