THURSDAY, AUGUST 1st,2024 LEICHHARDT OVAL,SYDNEY
Cowboys Visit Leichhardt Oval as Tigers Fight to Avoid Wooden Spoon
The Tigers are fighting to avoid a third consecutive wooden spoon, and their challenge only intensifies this Thursday with the formidable Cowboys visiting Leichhardt Oval.
Cowboys’ Recent Form and Injuries
Todd Payten’s side moved from eighth to sixth following their win over the Sharks, marking their fourth victory in the past five games.
A cheekbone injury to Jason Taumalolo and head knock to Reuben Cotter took some of the gloss off the win but the likely return of Heilum Luki from a hamstring injury will help soften the blow.
Cowboys
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 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Thomas Mikaele , 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Jake Granville , 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame , 18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Jamal Shibasaki 20. Jake Clifford, 21. Tomas Chester 22. Thomas Duffy
Tigers Look to Young Talent and Future Stars
The Tigers meanwhile continue to blood young talent as they look to finish the season on a positive note and take some momentum into the 2025 season when the arrival of Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva from Penrith brings renewed hope.
The past three clashes between these sides have produced a total of 228 points so there’s every chance the attendant in the famous old Leichhardt Oval scoreboard could be in for a busy night.
Tigers
1. Jahream Bula 2. Solomon Alaimalo 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Justin Olam 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Latu Fainu 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer , 11. Reuben Porter 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Isaiah Papali’i , 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Alex Seyfarth , 16. Sione Fainu 17. Alex Twal, 18. Heath Mason 19. Justin Matamua 20. Josh Feledy 21. Declan Casey 22. Tim Johannssen
Referee. Chris Butler, Touch Judges, Chris Sutton, Drew Oultram , Bunker. Ashley Klein.
Key Stats and Trends
Wests Tigers have won three of their past four games at Leichhardt Oval.
The Cowboys have won only one of their past 10 games at Leichhardt.
Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has scored four tries in his past four games at Leichhardt.
Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored seven tries in his past five games.
Wests Tigers have lost their last seven Thursday night games.
Prediction
The Tigers fell behind early against the Warriors last week and never looked like making up the difference, while the Cowboys came out on top in a tough encounter against the Sharks. The Cowboys need to be wary of the Leichhart Jinx.
The Cowboys will be highly cautious about visiting Leichhardt Oval, especially after their previous experience there last year. With a Top 8 spot still not guaranteed, they won’t allow the Tigers to surprise them again.
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