North Queensland play host to the Titans in a second Queensland derby in Round 4 and will bring the same amount of rivalry as the much-anticipated clash between the Dolphins and Broncos.
The Titans will be bouncing into training this week full of confidence after running in three tries in seven minutes to defeat Melbourne last week while the Cowboys will be hoping to make amends with their fans after falling to the Warriors at home.
The Cowboys have struggled to produce an 80-minute performance in their opening three games, with only one second-half scored compared to seven conceded and coach Todd Payten will be hoping to shore up their defensive efforts ahead of Saturday's Queensland derby.
Meanwhile, Justin Holbrook's Titans have been one of the surprise packets so far this season, sitting sixth on the ladder heading into Round 4.
With a barnstorming forward pack laying the platform for halves Kieran Foran and Tannah Boyd to enjoy some freedom in attack but the Gold Coast men will need to find another gear if they're to overcome the Cowboys faithful, having one only one of their past 10 matches in Townsville.
Expect plenty of great clashes across the park with Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita squaring off with Reuben Cotter and Coen Hess, while Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend against Boyd and Foran in the halves should be an intriguing battle between speed and experience.
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Team News
Cowboys: The Cowboys are 1-17 with no late changes. Griffin Neame starts at prop in place of Reuben Cotter, who faces 2-4 weeks out with a knee injury. Veteran prop James Tamou joins the bench. Tom Chester keeps the fullback job in the absence of Scott Drinkwater (suspended). Forward Mitch Dunn has recovered from his ACL injury and will have another hit-out in Queensland Cup for the Blackhawks on Saturday. He was omitted from Todd Payten's squad on Friday along with Laitia Moceidreke and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
Titans: The Titans are 1-17 with no late changes. On the back of a strong win over the Storm in Round 4, coach Justin Holbrook named the same 17-man squad. Chris Randall again takes the hooking duties in Sam Verrills' absence while Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui and Jo Vuna retain their spots after solid showings last week.
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Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won 12 of their past 15 games against the Titans.
- The Titans have won only one of their past 11 games in Townsville.
- Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored 12 tries from his past 13 games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- Titans fullback Alexander Brimson has scored seven tries in eight games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes has scored eight tries from 11 games against the Titans.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.