They may be a mathematical chance of making the NRL finals.
But Canterbury admit the odds are stacked against them to keep the top eight dream alive in what looms as an emotionally-charged Thursday night NRL clash against North Queensland.
The game marks the third-last Cowboys’ final appearance at inaugural home ground 1300SMILES Stadium before relocating to their 25,000-capacity, $250 million North Queensland Stadium next year.
Then there is North Queensland’s touching tribute to favourite son Matt Scott in the round 24 clash, retiring his No.8 jersey for the night as the forward recovers from a mild stroke.
And the Cowboys appear galvanised after dismissing reports that surfaced this week that coach Paul Green had a heated argument with captain Michael Morgan over his leadership in front of corporate partners following their 42-6 round 22 loss to Newcastle.
Coincidentally the Bulldogs were North Queensland’s first opponent at their home ground when the Cowboys made their debut back in 1995, claiming a 32-16 win over the locals.
Yet Bulldogs veteran Aiden Tolman admitted they were not counting on history repeating in North Queensland’s farewell to the ground.
“We are coming up against the Cowboys in their last ever game at their stadium,” he said.
“They will be fired up. We know they are a tough team and have a great forward pack.
“We are a mathematical (finals) chance I suppose, but we have to win both our final two games to get in.”
Still, Tolman said their 12th-placed team did not lack self belief after claiming four straight games to keep a miracle finals finish alive.
“If things go our way then so be it. We are going into the game knowing we have done the work to get the win so we are backing ourselves,” he said.
“There is a lot of belief at the moment.”
Still, downing North Queensland on their final night at their spiritual home ground will be easier said than done.
Green appeared fired up over reports that he had fallen out with Morgan.
“There’s no issue. It is a storm in a tea cup,” he said.
“I have these conversations with players all the time. What is most important is what we say to each other privately.
“We need to have these honest conversations in order to get better.”
The Cowboys have also been buoyed by Tongan powerhouse Jason Taumalolo being cleared to play despite being hampered by a foot complaint.
STATS THAT MATTER
* It will mark the Cowboys’ final game at 1300SMILES Stadium where they have won 152 from 300 games with two draws
* Canterbury have won 13 of 18 games in Townsville
* The Cowboys last week ended a five-game losing streak, savouring just their second win from their past 10 games
