7:50 pm SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14th,2024 QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM, TOWNSVILLE QLD
Cowboys and Knights Clash in High-Stakes Finals Showdown
After 27 rounds, the top contenders are beginning to emerge. The North Queensland Cowboys return to finals footy for the first time since 2022, securing fifth spot on the ladder. Meanwhile, the Newcastle Knights, having clinched a spot with a win over the Dolphins in the final round, enter their fourth finals series in five years, finishing eighth.
Cowboys’ Rollercoaster Season Leads to Promising Finals Spot
The Cowboys’ season has been a rollercoaster. After dropping from preliminary finalists to missing the top eight in 2023, they aimed for a strong start this year and were briefly tied for the competition lead after Round 5. However, a subsequent five-game losing streak saw them fall to 12th on the ladder.
Since Magic Round, North Queensland has steadily climbed the standings, winning 11 of their last 14 matches to finish in fifth place. Their impressive run includes victories over Melbourne, Penrith, Sydney, Cronulla, and Canterbury (twice). Their record of seven wins and three losses against top-eight teams is the best among the finalists.
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea , 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson , 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter, 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame , 18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Chad Townsend 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Tomas Chester
Knights’ Path to Finals Marked by Determined Finish
After a Kalyn Ponga-inspired surge to the second week of the 2023 finals, many anticipated that Newcastle would carry that momentum into the 2024 season. Instead, they began the season with five losses in the opening seven rounds to sit as low as 15th on the ladder. Separate winning streaks mid-year were broken up by a pair three-game losing runs, and by the end of a tight loss against Penrith in round 22 the Knights were 12th, four points outside the top eight and seemingly headed for an early finish to the season. Following that, the Knights secured strong victories over the Wests Tigers, South Sydney, and the Gold Coast, and narrowly lost to Cronulla in Golden Point. This set up a virtual playoff for eighth place against the Dolphins in the final game of the regular season, where a determined 14-6 win clinched their spot in the finals.
Newcastle’s record against top-eight teams is a concern, with only one win (against Melbourne in Round 3) and nine losses in their last 10 matches. This is comfortably the worst record among the finalists.
Todd Payten has made only one change to the team that smashed Canterbury last weekend, with Jordon McLean overcoming his hamstring complaint to take his place in the front row, pushing Sam McIntyre to the bench, and Thomas Mikaele to the reserves. The Cowboys have 12 players with finals experience in their starting 17, with Kyle Feldt and Jason Taumalolo the only two players in the side who remain from the 2015 premiership (along with the injured Jake Granville].
There are no changes to the Newcastle side that secured a finals berth last weekend, although Adam O’Brien has named back rower Kai Pearce- Paul among the reserves as he nears a return from a severe gash on his shin. Out of the 17 players named, 16 have finals experience, with Fletcher Sharpe being the only rookie. Jayden Brailey, who is injured, and Jack Cogger, who is with Penrith, are the only ones who didn’t participate in the club’s 2023 finals campaign.
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Jack Cogger 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson , 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker, 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Will Pryce , 20. Jackson Hastings 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Kai Pearce-Paul
Referee. Todd Smith, Touch Judges, Jarrod Cole, Drew Oultram, Bunker, Wyatt Raymond.
Cowboys’ Home Advantage and Recent Form Give Them the Edge
The Cowboys have won their last three encounters with the Knights.
The Knights haven’t won in Townsville since 2015.
The Cowboys have won seven of their eight finals games played in Townsville.
Knights winger Fletcher Sharp has scored eight tries in his last five games.
Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored 11 tries in his last six games.
Prediction.
Clifford and Tom Dearden are becoming increasingly dangerous each week and will aim to exploit any fatigue in the Knights’ defense as the big men start to feel the effects of the Townsville heat.
With several players moving on next season, the Cowboys will be keen to give them a fitting send-off.
For me, it’s the Cows.
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