SATURDAY MARCH 23rd 2024 JUBILEE STADIUM, SYDNEY
Saturday’s clash at Jubilee Stadium promises an unpredictable showdown as the Dragons welcome the unbeaten Cowboys.
Dragons’ Varied Form: Can They Bounce Back Against Undefeated Cowboys?
Who knows what the Dragons are going to bring to the table after their first two rounds – they started with a comprehensive 28-4 dispatch of the Titans before suffering a humiliating 38-0 defeat against the Dolphins last week.
Cowboys’ Streak: Undefeated Start Puts Pressure on Dragons
Meanwhile, the Cowboys have gone 2-0 to start the season, but they were far from convincing last week against the Knights, trailing for most of the game before kicking a goal in golden point.
Cowboys’ Dominance: Can Dragons Break Their Losing Streak?
North Queensland racked up 43 points against the Dolphins in Round 1, yet it’s challenging to determine the significance of that performance at this early stage of the season.
The Cowboys were pretty poor on the road last season and the Dragons can have the tendency to surprise at home, so this is a tough game to get a read on, especially so early in the year.
Historical Stats: Dragons vs. Cowboys Rivalry and Past Performances
The Cowboys have won four straight games against the Dragons, but their overall record in Kogarah is a poor 3-7.
Making minimal changes to the team that downed the Knights 21-20 in golden point last Saturday, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will start in place of injured second-rower Heilum Luki with journeyman Jack Gosiewski coming onto the bench.
Despite holding a disappointing record in Sydney, with only two wins from seven appearances last season, the Cowboys have historically struggled at Kogarah, securing just two wins from six clashes against the joint venture.
Key Players to Watch: Feldt, Holmes, Ravalawa, and Nanai Ready to Shine
Veteran winger Kyle Feldt requires one try to surpass Matt Bowen as the all-time leading try scorer for North Queensland; the 32-year-old has scored nine tries from ten matches against the Dragons.
Cowboys have won the last four meetings
Cowboys are 3-7 in their last 10 games in Kogarah
Dragons have covered a +17.5 line in 12 of their last 13 home games vs Cowboys
Over 33.5 total points has landed in the last 10 meetings between the teams
Mikaele Ravalawa has scored six tries in his last five games vs Cowboys
Kyle Feldt has scored a try in eight of his last nine games with Cowboys as favourites & crossed twice in his last two games at Jubilee
Jeremiah Nanai has scored a try in four of his last six games
Line-up Changes: Marschke Debut and Fifita Recall for Dragons
Suffering the double indignity of their equal fourth heaviest loss and being held scoreless for only the 12th time as a joint venture during last Sunday’s 38-0 thrashing at the hands of the Dolphins, coach Shane Flanagan has responded by naming Jesse Marschke to debut at hooker and recalling Viliami Fifita at the expense of suspended prop Francis Molo.
COWBOYS
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Tomas Chester 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Semi Valemei 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Jake Clifford
DRAGONS
1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Jesse Marschke 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Michael Molo 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Viliami Fifita 18. Christian Tuipulotu 19. Ben Murdoch-Masila 20. Mathew Feagai 21. Ryan Couchman 22. Alec Tuitavake
Referees: Belinda Sharpe; Side line Officials: Phil Henderson, Michael Wise; Video Referees: Adam Gee;
PREDICTION
Feel like the Cowboys should win – they are the superior side, but not sold on them so far, and on the road, they still have something to prove. Scoring at least ten points in all six of the games he has played for the Cowboys against the Dragons, Holmes requires eight points to bring up 1,000 career points in first grade. Now the Cowboys should be to good but, can the Dragons get any worse. It has to be the Cowboys, so don’t go giving away too many points. Maybe 6.5 points.
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