It probably doesn't fall under the Thursday night blockbuster category but this game has a lot more appeal than it would have a month ago.
The Cowboys secured a morale-boosting win last week over the slumping Panthers, grabbing a little ray of sunshine in an otherwise gloomy season.
In the blue corner are the Bulldogs - winners of six of their past eight games, including the last four on the bounce.
They are among the hottest teams in the NRL and have come from nowhere to be within striking distance of a top-eight finish.
Match: Cowboys v Bulldogs
Round 24 -
home Team
Cowboys
12th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
13th Position
Venue: 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville
The Rundown
Team news
Cowboys: Paul Green has named the same 17 which played so impressively to upset Penrith last week. John Asiata and Michael Morgan will again call the shots in the halves with the skipper named at halfback this week after he was No.6 last week. Scott Bolton will play in jersey No.16 as Matt Scott's No.8 is retired for this game as a special tribute to the club legend. Tom Gilbert and Enari Tuala were trimmed from the reserves an hour before kick-off. Halfback Jake Clifford was named among the reserves and was hopeful of returning from an ankle injury but he was ruled out 24 hours before kick-off. The other man cut on Wednesday was Corey Jensen.
Bulldogs: Just the one change for the in-form Bulldogs with Jayden Okunbor coming onto the wing for the suspended Reimis Smith. Danny Fualalo and Morgan Harper dropped off the extended bench on game day. The first two omitted from the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off were Fa'amanu Brown and Ofahiki Ogden.
Match: Cowboys v Bulldogs
Round 24 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Nick Meaney
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jordan KahuCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Kerrod Holland
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom OpacicCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Will Hopoate
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jayden Okunbor
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 John AsiataFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Kieran Foran
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Michael MorganHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Lewis
Forwards
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLeanProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Aiden Tolman
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Jake GranvilleHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Prop for Cowboys is number 16 Scott BoltonProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Dylan Napa
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Gavin Cooper2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Shane Wright2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Harawira-Naera
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason TaumaloloLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Reuben CotterInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jack Cogger
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Coen HessInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Renouf Atoni
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Francis MoloInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Peter HolaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Chris Smith
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
Michael Morgan had one of his best games of the season last week and will need to deliver something similar on Thursday against Lachlan Lewis if the Cowboys are going to tame the Dogs. Out wider, Jordan Kahu has to get the better of uncompromising centre Will Hopoate.
For the Cowboys to win
Last week they drew strength from team-mate Matt Scott's serious health scare and put together an inspired performance to overcome the Panthers. They need to arm themselves with the same intensity and will to win, and keep turning up defensively like they did with some try-saving tackles last week.
For the Bulldogs to win
Now that they've defied the odds to give themselves a shot at a top eight finish, the Doggies should be suitably motivated to make it five straight wins. Their transformation into a top-notch defensive side is nothing short of remarkable and should hold them in good stead on Thursday. Kieran Foran is rejuvenated and will be looking forward to his clash with Morgan.
Brett Kimmorley says
The Bulldogs have been a big story of late with some good wins but I still don’t know if they’ve got more than 12-16 points in them. Defensively they’ve been unbelievable. Josh Jackson was an inspirational leader for them last week. One thing that might go against them is that it’s North Queensland’s last game at 1300Smiles Stadium. We saw a lift from the Cowboys last week. This is a chance for Michael Morgan to stand up and be a leader. Cowboys by 4
Stat Attack
The Bulldogs are fourth in the NRL in tackles made (7,712) and equal first in offloads (278). They are also equal-first with Melbourne for completions (80%).
And another thing ...
The Cowboys will be out to avenge a 24-12 loss to the Bulldogs in round seven at ANZ Stadium. The visitors scored the game's first try but it was 6-6 at half-time and anyone's game. The Dogs grabbed the lead with Corey Harawira-Naera's 50th-minute try and never trailed again. Josh Jackson crossed before Harawira-Naera scored his second try for a 24-6 lead. Ben Hampton's try closed the gap but the Cowboys wouldn't score again.
