6:15 pm SUNDAY, JULY 20th, 2024 QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM, TOWNSVILLE,QLD
Bulldogs’ Ambitious Push for Top-Four Spot
Coming off a bye and aiming to solidify their push for a top-four spot, the Bulldogs will begin a challenging stretch of away games, starting with the resurgent Cowboys in North Queensland.
Cowboys’ Strong Position and Need for Home Dominance
The Cowboys are riding high, with a bye in hand and two consecutive home games. A win here would strengthen their bid for a finals spot.
Key Match-Up for Finals Contenders
Two sides very much in the mix for a finals berth square off in Townsville, with the winner taking a significant step towards securing a spot in September’s action.
Cowboys’ Home Record and Final Push
The Cowboys have won just three of their seven games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in 2024. With five of their remaining seven games to be played at home, they need to turn their stadium into a fortress.
Coach Todd Payten will be closely monitoring Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Val Holmes, and Jeremiah Nanai to see how they fare in Wednesday night’s Origin decider before deciding if they will back up on Sunday.
Cowboys Line-Up
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jason Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Jake Granville 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki , 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele , 16. Jamal Shibasaki 17. Griffin Neame 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Semi Valemei 20. Valentine Holmes , 21. Tom Dearden 22. Jeremiah Nanai 23. Reece Robson 24. Reuben Cotter
Bulldogs’ Confidence and Key Changes
The Bulldogs arrive in Townsville with their confidence sky high after two nail-biting golden point wins over the Sharks and Warriors. A first finals appearance since 2016 is now well within their grasp.
The wrist injury to hard-working prop Max King is a setback, but the return of back-rower Jacob Preston from a foot injury is a boost for the blue and whites.
The two teams clashed just once last season with Matt Burton’s golden boot proving the difference in a 15-14 Dogs victory at Accor Stadium.
Bulldogs Line-Up
1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson, 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Kurtis Morrin , 17. Lipoi Hopoi 19. Harry Hayes 20. Drew Hutchinson 21. Hayze Perham 22. Jeral Skelton, 23. Chris Patolo 25. Kitone Kautoga
Referee. Gerard Sutton, Touch Judge, Peter Gough,
Head-to-Head Stats
The Cowboys have won only one of their past five games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The Bulldogs have conceded less than 20 points in five of their past six games.
Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored six tries in his last six games.
The Bulldogs have lost seven of eight away games in 2024.
Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored five tries in his past five games at QCB Stadium.
Prediction.
The Dogs determination without the ball should be enough to inch past an Origin-weary opponent battling a form funk at home. Burton has a massive boot to kick them out of trouble.
But at home ,I will go for the Cows in a close game. Final score 25-19, Cows.
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