The North Queensland Cowboys have finally developed some winning momentum but can ill-afford to slip up at home against the Newcastle Knights if they hope to make the finals. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEST.
With results going their way last week, North Queensland now finds itself with a solid chance of making the top eight.
The Cowboys possess a positive points differential and will secure a place in the finals if they win their remaining three matches.
In that regard, finals football has come early for North Queensland as they host fellow finals contenders Newcastle tonight.
The Knights are entrenched in the top eight but are a win or two away from firmly securing their ticket to finals footy this September.
With plenty on the line for both clubs, expect tonight’s contest to be a tightly contested affair between two teams with plenty to play for.
Prediction
Although it’s taken a long while, the Cowboys are just starting to find their mojo in attack and will be difficult to beat at home.
When they possess momentum, North Queensland are one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the NRL, and recent victories over South Sydney, Penrith and the Gold Coast highlights that the Cowboys are finally playing their best.
Captain Johnathon Thurston has played very well for the Cowboys ever since leading Queensland to another series victory over NSW back in July.
When Thurston is playing with confidence, the Cowboys attack just seems to run more smoothly, and the home side will be hoping their star halfback once again leads the way tonight.
Newcastle however will be no pushover. The Knights played well against Melbourne last week and really troubled the Storm with their direct play up the middle, particularly in the first half.
If the Knights can simply replicate the intense performance they displayed in the first half against Melbourne, then the likes of Jarred Mullen, Darius Boyd and Kurt Gidley will make life very difficult for North Queensland.
With everything to play for, both teams really have no excuses if they fail to show up with their best form tonight.
While the Knights should certainly push the Cowboys away from home, Thurston’s form at the moment bodes well for another North Queensland victory.
Cowboys by 8
mushi
Guest
This is from the NRL laws of the game that Kellet (?) put up a few weeks back: "A defender who runs at a ball-carrier and, without attempting to tackle, grab or hold the ball-carrier, charges to make contact with the shoulder or with the upper arm (tucked into the side) is guilty of an infringement." I don't see any get out of jail free card regarding the use of one hand unless you can credibly argue he has a one handed pat tackling technique and the thrusting of the shoulder (with arm tucked by his side) into his face was just a coincidence
Nomonous
Guest
I originally thought Hayne was making sure there was a Qld team in the finals but on reflection it deserved a sendoff - makes you wonder about all those others - Inglis on Dean Young for example - you cant go by severity because an ACL is a game and season ending injury but you don't know that when it happens - its just a sore leg - however good the rulke was bought in - remember those oldies who said shoulder charges were good for the game...
kange
Guest
Bad news for cowboys with Ray Thompson's injury. Just as the team sealed its line up, the team lost one of its key players. Hope he returns before the end of the season.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
And Pritchards or J Reynolds last night??? A week to attempt to snap a leg !
Edward Kelly
Guest
It wasn't a shoulder charge (you have to charge for it to be a shoulder charge) Snowdon was bracing for the contact and Thompson was dipping, these things happen in a contact sport.
hatter
Guest
Well that's it for the Knights this year. Bennett has a lot to think about now. Maybe next year will be better for the Knights.
V.O.R.
Guest
you would think at least 6 weeks. I think he knows if the post match dressing room shots are anything to go by. Season gone.
chris n
Guest
Cowboys to strong, again another contest marred by poor decisions by the men in pink.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Roarsome says "I think so...", you say "I don't think he goes..." Do the referees know?
turbodewd
Roar Guru
The SC by Snowden looked bad. He will get 10 weeks, surely.
The eye
Guest
If the hands or hand is used in the tackle its not a shoulder charge,Snowdens left hand clearly touches Thompsons chest before he impacts onto his shoulder..Knights will be denying,quite rightly that by definition he had no right being sent off..we saw 2 blatant pre meditated shoulder charges on Friday night by the dogs get wrist slapped so this is their reaction.
V.O.R.
Guest
"the penalty is largely determined by the severity of the injury" makes sense...Cowboys lose a player, would be a little unfair for the Knights to retain a full 17 seeing as though they were responsible for the incident. What's so hard to understand?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Well, that helps. We have two opposite answers!
V.O.R.
Guest
nothing 'innocuous' about it. You don't break someones jaw without good contact. In addition it was also a touch late.
V.O.R.
Guest
I don't think he goes if he gets back up...no way...I think the penalty is largely determined by the severity of the injury the foul play is responsible for. He had to go....and his season is dusted.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
OMG, i just walked in the door, turned the tv on and caught the Snowden shoulder charge after the game and how innocuous of a shouldercharge for a broken jaw, looked like a check more than anything and i love the shoulder charge and still think they only needed to rule across the shoulders to keep it in the game but that was so unlucky for all partys yet we will here the minority !!
Roarsome
Guest
I think so, there was contact with the head. Unlike a tackle gone wrong with a high arm or something, there is nothing accidental about a shoulder charge so he had to go.
Alan
Roar Guru
Its four in a row for the Cowboys now who find themselves in the top eight with a solid win over the Knights. Snowden was sent off for Newcastle after hitting Thompson with the shoulder. Thompson left the field with a broken jaw. The Cowboys clinical attack tonight with Thurston, Bowen, Lui and Tate running the show well. Cowboys forwards also strong. Newcastle tried hard and were on top early in the second half but some last ditch Cowboys defence stopped Newcastle from really getting into the contest. Cowboys match against Cronulla next week is huge now. Cowboys 26 Knights 6
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Well ever since Henry was sacked, the Cowboys have recorded 4 straight victories. I feel sorry for Henry. Uate now finds Boyd who attacks but the ball has been batted into touch as the Cowboys scramble well again. FULLTIME Cowboys 26 Knights 6
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Bowen gets through on his hands and knees! Great to watch Bowen. Forward pass halts the Cowboys attack Cowboys 26 Knights 6