Todd Warren preview the first game of the restarted season for the Cowboys and the Titans.
FORM LINE
North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys got a 24-16 win against the Bulldogs before the season was put on hold but lost against the Broncos in Round One. They’re currently in 7th position with the bottom six teams all winless.
Gold Coast Titans
Bad signs for the Titans already as they were demolished 46-6 by the Eels in Round Two and beaten by 18 points against the Raiders in their season opener. They sit dead last in 16th.
SQUAD NEWS
North Queensland Cowboys
Big changes with Michael Morgan and Gavin Cooper out. Morgan got some surgery on his shoulder during the season stop and Cooper is out short term with a calf injury. Scott Drinkwater and Jake Clifford are the halves pairing and Mitchell Dunn starts in place of Gavin Cooper. Josh Asiata is on the bench and can cover pretty much every position on the field if needed.
1. Valentine Holmes
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Justin O’Neill
4. Esan Marsters
5. Ben Hampton
6. Scott Drinkwater
7. Jake Clifford
8. Josh McGuire
9. Jake Granville
10. Jordan McLean (c)
11. Mitchell Dunn
12. Coen Hess
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Reece Robson
15. John Asiata
16. Shane Wright
17. Francis Molo
Gold Coast Titans
Kallum Watkins was released on compassionate grounds to head back home to England due to COVID-19 after a couple of decent performances to start the season. There was maybe one too many players for the Titans backline though with Dale Copley and Tyrone Peachey as the centres pairing. Keegan Hipgrave makes his return to NRL after a long break after a few head knocks. Jamal Fogarty partners Ash Taylor in the halves. Jarrod Wallace and Shannon Boyd are both on the bench. Bryce Cartwright is on the extended bench along with Mitch Rein and Brian Kelly so expect to see a change or two.
1. Tyrone Roberts
2. Anthony Don
3. Dale Copley
4. Tyrone Roberts
5. Philip Sami
6. Ash Taylor
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Nathan Peats
10. Sam Lisone
11. Kevin Proctor (c)
12. Keegan Hipgrave
13. Jai Arrow
14. Erin Clark
15. Jai Whitbread
16. Jarrod Wallace
17. Shannon Boyd
KEY STAT
The Cowboys have won the last ten games against their QLD little brother. They are 9 wins from 11 games while playing in North Queensland since 2009.
BATTLE TO WATCH
Looking forward to Jason Taumalolo lining up against Jai Arrow. Taumalolo is undoubtedly the best lock in the game and Arrow has been great since his debut if he plays at lock or at prop. It’s well publicised that Jai Arrow is leaving the Titans at the end of the season but no doubt about him giving 100% in his remaining time on the coast.
GAME DETAILS
Titans team list is extremely confusing and I would be extremely surprised if there wasn’t mass changes before gameday. Morgan and Cooper are big outs for the Cowboys look stronger across the park and I epect them to be much too strong playing at home.
Cowboys by 14.
Date: Friday May 29
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Kick-off: 6:00pm
