NRL Round 25 North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights Preview

Super Saturday is capped off with a great battle from Townsville as the Cowboys host a Knights side that is down on confidence after watching their season slip away. Last week it was all ahead of them. They certainly had a tough task ahead of them in facing Manly at Brookvale Oval, but if they were wanting to be considered as a premiership contender, it was a game that they would have to win. Fast forward to HT in that match and the game was over. Manly suffered a lot of injuries and they even had the luxury of playing the second half with only 14 players. The Knights did win the second half but that means nothing. The Cowboys on the other hand were started extremely well against the Dragons on MNF but let the Dragons back into the contest. They eventually prevailed by 10 points but they were down by 4 with around 20 minutes to play. The thing that got them over the line in the end was the fantastic play from Thurston and Bowen. When these two blokes control the game, anything is possible for the Cowboys. They also look most dangerous when the game is played at speed, you only have to look at their best passages of play against the Dragons. It is now time for the Cowboys to consolidate their position on the competition ladder and they should aim to take care of the Knights with relative ease. The Knights are not a dangerous team, it is just the possibility that the Cowboys can slip back into their old habits and play inconsistent football. Hopefully for their fans, this is not the case. It is sure to be a good contest and a good preview for the other sides that may face the Cowboys in the finals. 

North Queensland Cowboys
It is no surprise to see the Cowboys again name an unchanged starting side. The only changes that have occurred are on the bench as Anthony Mitchell is called into the 17 as Ray Thompson has succumbed to an injury. The other new face on the extended bench is Ricky Thorby, who was a late inclusion in the game against the Dragons. Remember though, the Cowboys had to submit this side on Tuesday and probably were not in a position where they could completely assess their injuries. Thorby actually limped off the field towards the end of the game so it would be surprising to see him play this game. Thre is also speculation over the fitness of Michael Morgan who also left the field and appeared to suffer more than one injury. The Cowboys were clicking for the first 15 minutes of the Dragons game but they then let things slip. They looked at their best when their forwards were smashing the defensive line and bending it backwards. It just gave more room for Thurston and Bowen to move around a create things for their side.

Newcastle Knights
Playing for their season, the Knights received some great news this week with the return of James McManus from injury. He is immediately slotted back onto the wing and Kevin Naiqama is shifted back to the bench. This is the only change to the side that was comprehensively beaten by the Sea Eagles before HT. They will be looking to salvage some pride early but have their work cut out for them having to head up to Townsville for this clash. Their forwards will have a tough job as well. The Cowboys have one of the best packs in the game and they will have to lift to another level to get their win. They have the size but will struggle to maintain a high intensity with the players coming off the bench. Then again, they are also a side that is building towards 2013. With not many players being purchased for next season, perhaps this will be the side that is taken them into next year. With some of their attention on next season, how much does 2012 mean to them?

Recent History

Overall = Cowboys 11 - Knights 16

Last 5 games = Cowboys 3 - Knights 2

At Dairy Farmers Stadium = Cowboys 6 - Knights 6

Odds

TAB Sportsbet = Cowboys $1.30 Knights $3.60

Centrebet = Cowboys $1.30 Knights $3.65

Sportsbet = Cowboys $1.34 Knights $3.40

Betfair = Cowboys $1.32 Knights $3.65

Verdict
It is hard to go past the Cowboys in this game. They have a hell of a lot more to play compared to the Knights. Yes they are a chance (mathematically) of making the Top 8 but the Cowboys have a home final in Week 1 of the semis on the line here. Not only that, they can build on some team combinations and defensive patterns that they've developed to this point. Furthermore, they can continue to get consistency back into their performances for the full 80 minutes. Throw in the fact that they are at home and the Cowboys are starting to stick out like a sore thumb.

Suggested Bet
Cowboys -7.5 @ $1.70

Be specific, get value = Cowboys 13-18 @ $5 - They could possibly pile on the points in this game in front of a good home crowd. The Knights won't exactly be pushovers in the early part of the game but if the Cowboys get to a good lead, they could very well switch off. Cowboys by 14 points sounds good.

Left side, Strong side = Kane Linnett First Try Scorer @ $9 - Yes, I have been recommending this bloke for a few tries this season and he has a very good habit of finding the try line more than once in a game. Better still, the Cowboys love to move the ball to this side of the field.

Good luck!

Scooby

@scoobystips