Panthers and Cowboys Battle for Crucial Points at BlueBet Stadium
The Penrith Panthers and North Queensland Cowboys are set to clash this Sunday at 4 pm at BlueBet Stadium. Both teams are coming off a bye, with the Cowboys experiencing their first break of the season after waiting 16 rounds. The Panthers, currently in second place with a 10-4 record, look to maintain their strong form, while the Cowboys, clinging to eighth with an 8-7 record, aim to solidify their position in the top eight.
Panthers and Cowboys Compete at BlueBet Stadium for Vital Points
This Sunday at BlueBet Stadium at 4 PM, the Penrith Panthers and North Queensland Cowboys will play a football match. Both teams have just returned from a bye, with the Cowboys taking their first hiatus of the year after a 16-round wait. With a 10-4 record and a commanding lead over the Cowboys in eighth place, they want to stay in the top eight. The Panthers, on the other hand, want to keep up their impressive play.
The Cowboys, on the other hand, showcased their dominance in their Round 15 match against the Canberra Raiders, leading 24-0 at halftime thanks to tries from Reuben Cotter, Griffin Neame, Tom Dearden, and Chad Townsend. Their goal-line defence was formidable, preventing the Raiders from scoring on three occasions. Although Canberra staged a second-half fightback, the Cowboys added two more tries through Valentine Holmes and Reece Robson to seal the win. With six players named in the Queensland State of Origin squad, the Cowboys might face challenges, but the team is hopeful, especially with experienced players like Scott Drinkwater, who had an outstanding game against the Raiders, in their ranks.
Last meeting: Round 8 2024 – Cowboys 20 Panthers 26
Who to watch: The last time these two sides met, Panthers winger Brian To’o was sensational in his 100th game, where he scored a try, recorded a massive 17 tackle busts and ran for almost 200 running metres. Expect him to get over the line at least once, as To’o has scored 23 tries in his past 17 games at BlueBet Stadium, even if he will be off the back of an Origin appearance for NSW on Wednesday night.
With several key players potentially missing from this game, the Cowboys will look to their experienced players to lead the way. In particular, winger Kyle Feldt will be looking to reach 10 tries for the ninth straight season. The 32-year-old put on an aerial try-scoring masterclass against the Raiders in the side’s Round 15 win.
Favourite: Despite having a number of key players backing up after Origin commitments, the Panthers are clear favourites, especially at home, where they’ve won 14 of their last 16 games.
My tip: Their depth and home advantage should see them through in what promises to be a competitive match. Penrith by 10.
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Luron Patea 21. Casey McLean 22. Luke Sommerton 23. Trent Toelau 24. Tyrone Peachey
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Harrison Edwards 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Tomas Chester 15. Jake Granville 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Griffin Neame 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Jamal Shibasaki 20. Valentine Holmes 21. Murray Taulagi 22. Tom Dearden 23. Reece Robson 24. Reuben Cotter
