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The Canterbury Bulldogs will be looking for a crucial win when they face the defending premiers the North Queensland Cowboys. To follow all of the action, be sure to join us on The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) on Thursday night.
The 2016 minor round season is coming to a close very quickly and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have put themselves in a strong position to finish in the top four.
The Bulldogs currently sit in fourth place, just one game clear of the Cowboys in fifth with two games left to play.
The Bulldogs will know that a win in this game would go a long way to sealing the crucial double chance come finals time.
Des Hasler’s men are still looking for the consistency that has eluded them this year and with just two games left before finals they will be looking to get on a winning run.
The North Queensland Cowboys quest for back to back premierships has looked on shaky grounds the past month after three straight losses.
The Cowboys managed to get back on the winners list last week with a strong showing against the Warriors.
This kept the Cowboys quest for a top four spot alive and they will know a win in this game will put them well and truly in the race heading into the final round.
Even if they don’t manage to jump into the top four, the Cowboys will be looking to establish some winning form heading into the business end of the season.
In team news this week Danny Fualalo replaces the suspended Sam Kasiano on the bench for the Bulldogs.
The Cowboys welcome back veteran prop Matt Scott which means Scott Bolton moves back to the bench and Ben Spina drops out of the side.
A key for the Bulldogs this week will be to see how they cover the loss of Kasiano who has made a habit of making a big impact in games when coming off the bench each week.
While the Cowboys starting pack will be back to full strength with Scott coming back into the front row.
The battle of the halves will prove vital in determining the result of this game as Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds will be looking to have a big game against one of the league’s most well-rounded pairings in Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan.
An important head to head battle will take place between Will Hopoate and Lachlan Coote as the two full backs who have been good in defence this year will be looking to have an impact in attack.
Prediction
This should be a ripper of a game that could go either way but I’m tipping the Cowboys to steal it in a close one.
Cowboys by 4 points.
Can the Bulldogs take an important step in consolidating their spot in the top four or will the Cowboys keep their hopes of finishing in the top four alive? Join us on The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) to follow all of the action.
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