Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 23 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs. Brisbane Broncos game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday August 10, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos Odds
North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos Preview
Brisbane Broncos are all but done for 2024, but a victory here at least keeps the mathematical possibility of the playoffs alive.
North Queensland Cowboys, meanwhile, can take a massive step towards a finals return by regaining the ascendancy in this fierce derby rivaly.
The Cowboys are sixth and only a win shy of the top four, they may not have the feel of a team that has won eight of its last 10, but they are nevertheless getting the results.
Last Thursdays 48-30 defeat of a 12-man Tigers outfit left plenty of defensive question marks hovering over Todd Paytens side, however.
On the plus side, Murray Taulagi blazed in for a hat-trick, and Scott Drinkwater scored two tries and set up another.
North Queenslands Test prop Reuben Cotter is back from concussion protocols, replacing Jake Granville (pec).
The shellshocked Broncos have lost eight of their last nine, following up a jarring 41-16 loss to the Bulldogs with an astonishing 46-18 defeat to the Titans after leading 18-10 at halftime.
The second-half drop-off in both was nothing short of alarming an attitude appears to have gone out the window.
Meanwhile, Payne Haas is gone for the season and Ezra Mam also suffered an injury setback on the Gold Coast.
Josh Rogers comes in at five-eighth and Xavier Willison at prop, Josiah Karapani has usurped Corey Oates on the wing and Tristan Sailor joins the interchange.
The Broncos have won the last three derbies by 12 points or more, including a 38-12 Suncorp Stadium beatdown in Round 4.
But they are a shadow of the side that made the grand final 10 months ago and started this season promisingly enough.
The jury is out on the Cowboys but they should be able to put away the flagging visitors for a third straight win in Townsville.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos Tip
We're tipping North Queensland Cowboys to win at $1.40 odds.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos Teams
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. Heilum Luki 24. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Jake Clifford 20. Tomas Chester 21. Semi Valemei 22. Marly Bitungane 24. Jeremiah Nanai
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Tristan Sailor 17. Martin Taupau 18. Cory Paix 19. Benjamin Te Kura 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Corey Oates 22. Vaa Semu
