The Tigers are set to host the Cowboys on Friday evening at Campbelltown Stadium, their last game at the ground for the regular season. The two teams will go head to head in what is set to be an interesting and entertaining match.
LAST TIME OUT
The Tigers lost their game last weekend to the Roosters in a close match that gave the Tigers every opportunity to win the match, however they fell just short, losing in front of a Roosters’ home crowd by just four points. Tedesco was the star for the Tigers on the night, and was ecstatic at the idea of winning late, unfortunately it was Latrell Mitchell who spoiled the party late in the match and gave the Roosters an escape route out of Allianz Stadium with a win and two competition points under their belts. The Tigers’ determination and courage was evident throughout the match, and the way they conducted themselves was worthy of a win, however they unfortunately fell short in the end. The Roosters were the dominant side to begin with, however the visitors didn’t want to leave without a fight, and to their credit, they came back and didn’t let the Roosters run away with it. While it was an unfortunate loss for the side, the way they played will be an important carry over into their match against the Cowboys, and into their final game for the 2017 season.
The Cowboys hosted the Sharks on Saturday night in the final fixture of Super Saturday for round twenty-four of the NRL Telstra Premiership. In front of over 15,000 Cowboys hopefuls, the Sharks spoiled the party, walking away back in fourth position on the ladder, leaving their opponents scratching their heads. The first half was all the Sharks, and they were completely dominant, not giving the Cowboys many opportunities, which hurt them in the very end when it could have been an even closer game than it ended up being. The Cowboys came back from a poor first half and proved to the Sharks the kind of team that they are. The performance of the visitors was poor in the second half, which allowed the Cowboys to dominate. However, the dominance they displayed was simply not enough to match that of the Sharks that had been shown in the first forty minutes of the match. This ultimately led to the Cowboys’ loss, leaving them down and out walking away from 1300 SMILES Stadium. Their finals hopes now hang in the balance, will they make it?
KEY BATTLE
McIlwrick versus Granville. Both these players have had strong seasons, and will be looking to finish their seasons on a high note regardless of places on the ladder. This game will be important for both players, and both number nines will play to the best of their ability to ensure their side earns the extra two points in the closing rounds of the regular season for 2017.
PREDICTION
Despite it being at a Tigers’ home ground, the Cowboys have a lot to play for considering they sit on the cusp of the top eight, and could potentially miss out on the finals series depending on how the other teams around them perform in the last two rounds of the season. The Tigers will be looking for the win to ensure they avoid the wooden spoon, which while is important, a position in the finals being up for grabs for the Cowboys will push them towards a win. Cowboys by 10.
SQUADS
Wests Tigers
1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Esan Marsters 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Malakai Watene Zelezniak 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Jack Littlejohn 8. Aaron Woods 9. Matt McIlwrick 10. Tim Grant 11. Michael Chee-Kam 12. Josh Aloiai 13. Matthew Eisenhuth 14. Alex Twal 15. Sauaso Sue 16. Bayley Sironen 18. Joel Edwards 19. Ava Seumanufagai 21. Watson Heleta
North Queensland Cowboys
1. Ben Hampton 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Javid Bowen 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Michael Morgan 8. Corey Jensen 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Coen Hess 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. John Asiata 15. Shane Wright 17. Shaun Fensom 18. Gavin Cooper 19. Lachlan Coote 20. Kyle Laybutt
