Friday night footy see's an unusual occurrence this weekend when the Brisbane Broncos don't play on a Friday for the first time this regular season (apart from when they had the bye). Instead, we are up at Skilled Park to see the Gold Coast Titans host the North Queensland Cowboys in another version of a QLD Derby. This game will obviously not be shown live into NSW but Im sure that the people of the Blue state would like to see this match. It is sure to be a great clash between two sides who can play some great football when they need to. The Titans are slowly getting things together and beginning to play with more and more confidence with each win that they have. The Cowboys are a team which I believe are outsiders to win the premiership this year. They definitely have the players to get them over the line, it is just a matter of everyone putting their hand up each week and not solely relying on Thurston to get them over the line. They also have to develop some form of consistency about their play if they are to give this competition a shake. Both teams will be out to play some entertaining football and hopefully the Titans get a decent crowd in to view this game as the competition reaches the halfway point of the regular season. It is interesting to note that the Titans also upset the Cowboys in the first game of the season at home, winning 18-0, one of the big shocks of round 1.
Gold Coast Titans
If I were writing this 5 weeks ago, I would be giving the Titans a serve for being perennial underachievers and players not being worthy the big money that some of them are making. Oh what a difference a few weeks and a few wins can make. It should be noted that the Titans are still underachieving. They did beat the Bulldogs at Suncorp a few weeks ago but that was a Bulldogs team that never seemed interested in the match. Then they came down to Newcastle last week and defeated the hapless Knights who would give Parramatta a good run for their money. Although they have been winning ugly, they certainly have been getting the job done. There is only one change to the team from last week and that comes as Nate Myles is moved into the starting team for Luke Douglas, who moves back to the bench. Apart from that, the Titans will field the same team. Myles started off the bench last week after (amazingly) winning MOM in SOO. The Titans will definitely have to clean up their scrappy way of winning games and improve their execution for this one. They also have a very poor home record this season that they will be looking to turn around. Putting on a winning performance will definitely go a long way to winning the fans around the area back.
North Queensland Cowboys
As mentioned earlier, the Cowboys are a team with enormous potential to stick around until the first weekend in October. That is if they have all of their players back on deck and learn how to play consistent footy. Losing to the Tigers last week wasn't a complete disaster, but what it does do is knock out a bit of confidence from their players and have them begin to question their potential. Throw in a very short turn around from last week and the Cowboys do look vulnerable. Coach Neil Henry has had his hand forced by a tough schedule and has named an unchanged lineup from last week. He does have a 5 man bench and Corey Paterson does look like the man most likely to drop off the bench in this one.
Recent History
Overall = Titans 5 - Cowboys 5
Last 5 games = Titans 2 - Cowboys 3
At Skilled Park = Titans 2 - Cowboys 2
Overall = Titans 5 - Cowboys 5
Last 5 games = Titans 2 - Cowboys 3
At Skilled Park = Titans 2 - Cowboys 2
Odds
TAB Sportsbet = Titans $2.20 Cowboys $1.70
Centrebet = Titans $2.30 Cowboys $1.65
Sportsbet = Titans $2.28 Cowboys $1.65
TAB Sportsbet = Titans $2.20 Cowboys $1.70
Centrebet = Titans $2.30 Cowboys $1.65
Sportsbet = Titans $2.28 Cowboys $1.65
Verdict
So the Titans have won a few games and all of a sudden there is a buzz that they're beginning to live up to their potential. And so they should looking at their roster! But this will definitely be a big test for them this week to see just how well they are doing in the competition. The Cowboys aren't exactly the most consistent team in the competition and the team can easily be done in this one. As mentioned earlier, the Cowboys were dusted 18-nil by the Titans in Round 1 at home. But when all things are considered and you compare the two teams, the Cowboys prevail. They definitely have the stronger bench and tougher forward pack. As for the outside backs, they have the speed and ability to finish off a great attacking play from Thurston at half.
So the Titans have won a few games and all of a sudden there is a buzz that they're beginning to live up to their potential. And so they should looking at their roster! But this will definitely be a big test for them this week to see just how well they are doing in the competition. The Cowboys aren't exactly the most consistent team in the competition and the team can easily be done in this one. As mentioned earlier, the Cowboys were dusted 18-nil by the Titans in Round 1 at home. But when all things are considered and you compare the two teams, the Cowboys prevail. They definitely have the stronger bench and tougher forward pack. As for the outside backs, they have the speed and ability to finish off a great attacking play from Thurston at half.
Suggested Bet
Cowboys -2.5 @ $1.90
Value Bet = Cowboys 13+ @ $3.50 - If the Cowboys can get away to a good start, they can easily pile the points on in bunches so expect nothing less from them if they have the momentum.
Just a thought... = Brent Tate first (or even last) try scorer @ $11 - Has been in great form of late and wouldn't surprise.
Cowboys -2.5 @ $1.90
Value Bet = Cowboys 13+ @ $3.50 - If the Cowboys can get away to a good start, they can easily pile the points on in bunches so expect nothing less from them if they have the momentum.
Just a thought... = Brent Tate first (or even last) try scorer @ $11 - Has been in great form of late and wouldn't surprise.
Good luck!
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