There comes a time during Monday when you're upset that you have to be back at work after the weekend and then you remember that there is Monday Night Footy waiting for you when you get home and you smile. This weeks instalment of MNF is going to be a great game as the Cowboys host the Tigers. It surely has a lot of excitement but will have to be an unbelievable game to make up for last weeks MNF. With all other games completed this week, this game now becomes more interesting than ever to the make up of the Top 8. Teams in the 8 this weekend suffered some surprising defeats and as teams fight for not only the Top 8 but the safety of the Top 4, each loss becomes even more dangerous. Both sides are in the Top 8 but had results gone as expected this week, it could have been a different story. The Cowboys are in 6th and are only two points ahead of the Tigers who are in 8th on 20 points. But it should be noted that a win here would take the Cowboys into 4th and a chance to have a "second shot" in the second week of the semis. But they have to be the consistent Cowboys team that had won a very tough game against the Storm at home. They have the class of player to get them over the line so what is holding them back? The Tigers on the other hand have played well for parts of the season but overall would be disappointed with their season to date. I have been saying it for a few weeks though, this is the part of the season where the Tigers really come together and starting producing week in and week out. It has all the making of a great clash and will be a good way to cope with Mondayitis.
North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys were very pleased with their performance against the Storm as it showed a lot of character and potential within their team. They must continue on playing like this. The team for this week see's Kalifa Faifai Loa replace Ashley Graham who looks as though he could be out for the rest of the season with a leg injury. That is a big loss as he was up near the top of the try scoring list for the season and was in some terrific form. Ray Thompson is also out and his spot is taken in the team by Michael Morgan. Luckily, the Cowboys retain exactly the same pack of forwards who will again want to be the dominant pack in this clash. There is a few changes to the extended bench that has Jason Taumalolo disappear and now include Cory Paterson. The Cowboys have all their SOO players present in this clash and there should be no excuse for under performing here.
Wests Tigers
The Tigers take a similar team into this game to the one that grounded out a tough victory against the Panthers last week. But this week they will be tested against a team with more quality. The one change that occurs, including the players on the bench, will be the omission of Keith Galloway from the starting side through injury. He is replaced by Adam Blair who moves up to the front row from the second row. In some fantastic news for the Tigers, Blair's position in the second row will be taken by Gareth Ellis. Ellis has been out for most of this season with a multitude of injuries but in his last season in the NRL, we will hopefully see him on the field until the Tigers are out of contention (maybe even the GF). The Tigers now possess one of the biggest and most mobile pack of forwards in the competition. Then they also have some fantastic fire power coming off the bench which is sure to gain plenty of attention from opposition coaches.
Recent History
Overall = Cowboys 11 - Tigers 14
Last 5 games = Cowboys 0 - Tigers 5
At Dairy Farmers Stadium = Cowboys 8 - Tigers 4
Odds
TAB Sportsbet = Cowboys $1.65 Tigers $2.30
Centrebet = Cowboys $1.65 Tigers $2.30
Sportsbet = Cowboys $1.65 Tigers $2.30
Betfair = Cowboys $1.66 Tigers $2.48
Verdict
So who has more to play for in this game? The that is in 8th place and with a win would still remain in 8th (unless they win by more that 30 points) or the team in 6th that would move into 4th. The Cowboys have the added advantage of being at home and although the Tigers are strengthened by the return of Ellis, you would still think that the Cowboys pack of forwards would be better suited given how their props can dominate games. That is one thing missing from the Tigers, a prop who is a mountain and can dominate. This game just tops off a weekend of tough games to pick (and subsequently a few upsets). But for what it is worth, I certainly believe that the prices offered on the Tigers are overs. This game is going to be closer than the bookies are suggesting.
Suggested Bet
Cowboys 1-12 @ $3
Winning specifically = Cowboys 1-6 @ $5.75 - It was mentioned above, this game will be closer than the bookies are suggesting. If it is going to be anything like last weeks game it should be a good profit for punters. I also think that Cowboys 7-12 @ $5.75 is also worth some thought but would be my second choice.
Target Utai = First Tries Kane Linnett or Antonio Winterstein both @ $9 - Utai can be a target for teams in attack and if you watch the video highlights from their win against the Storm, they were very potent on their left hand side attack, which will target Utai on the Tigers right.
Good luck!
Scooby
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