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Premiership aspirants the North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury Bulldogs do battle in what should be a high quality contest at 1300 Smiles stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8pm AEST.
With Cronulla and Melbourne seemingly in pole position to lock up the first two spots on the premiership ladder, the Cowboys and Bulldogs both need a win tonight to solidify their hold on the remaining top four spots currently available.
Both teams have enjoyed productive seasons, with the Cowboys in particular once again well in the running to secure back-to-back premierships. The Origin period however hasn’t been kind to them given that their best players were generally unavailable – a key factor behind some recent defeats.
At full strength however, the Cowboys start strong favourites against the dangerous Bulldogs. Canterbury are building some strong momentum with four wins on the trot and will fancy their chances of causing the upset tonight, particularly if a strong pack led by Sam Kasiano can win the arm-wrestle early on.
The battle between quality forwards Jason Taumalolo and David Klemmer will also be pivotal to deciding which team is able to dominate upfront tonight.
While both teams are pretty evenly matched across the park, the Cowboys still possess a key advantage in the halves because of Johnathon Thurston, who remains several classes above his opposite half Josh Reynolds.
Reynolds has established himself as a fine footballer that leads from the front tremendously well. Thurston however is an immortal and arguably the greatest half of all time. Despite being over 30 years of age, the QLD and Australia test legend still sets the benchmark for halfback play. If he is allowed to dominate once again, the Cowboys at home will continue to prove near impossible to defeat.
Prediction
In a game with plenty on the line, one would expect Thurston’s play to once again prove decisive in splitting the two teams yet again.
Cowboys by 6
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8pm AEST.