Josh Mercer previews the Queensland derby between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys. Here’s what we have to look forward to.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Brisbane Broncos Vs North Queensland Cowboys
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Date: Friday, March 10, 8:00 pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Martin Taupau 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Xavier Willison 21. Jock Madden 22. Deine Mariner
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. James Tamou 18. Brendan Elliot 19. Riley Price 20. Tomas Chester 21. Gehamat Shibasaki 22. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Referee: Ashley Klein
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
It was quite the weekend for the Queensland sides, with all of them winning, including the new kids on the block, the Dolphins.
The Broncos went to the foot of the mountains and started their season with a win. After they conceded the first try, Adam Reynolds kicked his men into gear by sending Herbie Farnworth over to level the scores.
Ezra Mam showed he is a game-breaker, setting up the next try after a mid-field break. Mam kicked ahead for Farnsworth to score his second try to go into halftime leading by six points.
The second half was a grinding affair, with the Broncos only scoring a point through a field goal to Reynolds. The Panthers attempted a late comeback, but it was too little too late.
Like their big brother, the Cowboys got away with a one-point victory over the Raiders. The Cowboys looked the goods in the first half getting out to an 18 nil before Emre Guler got the Raiders on the board just before halftime.
The Cowboys did what the Raiders are known for, fading in the second half and letting the Green Machine level the score. Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend slotted the match-winning field goal.
Patrick Carrigan, who missed the back end of the 2022 season, was a machine making 50 tackles in the win against Penrith. His match-up against Jason Taumalolo is worth the price of admission, and both forward packs will be up for the challenge.
Former Bronco Tom Dearden going up against Ezra Mam is another mouth-watering match-up. Both men are match winners on their day but are also capable of a mistake or two. The calming influence of their halves partners has kept them in line; both Reynolds and Townsend were cool as cucumbers slotting their team’s winning field goal. Those nerves of steal will be needed again as this match may come down to a field goal.
Reece Walsh will debut for the club at fullback after missing the first round; he may be another game-breaker for the Broncos this season.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Broncos 5, Cowboys 5.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Broncos by 6.
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