Cowboys v Dolphins: Cotter back on deck; Herbie, Kodi return
North Queensland hope a return home will provide the foundation for a return to form when they host the high-flying Dolphins on Saturday evening.
The Cowboys suffered a disappointing loss to the Raiders in Canberra last Sunday and coach Todd Payten will be eager to see an improvement in their defensive resolve.
That area of the game will take on an even greater focus against a Dolphins side that has piled on the points in recent weeks.
Kristian Woolf's team is fresh off the bye and riding a four-game winning streak, in which they have averaged 33.5 points a match.
Halfback Isaiya Katoa continues to pull the strings, while the return of hooker Jeremy Marshall-King has added a new dynamic to the side's attack.
The Dolphins defence will have to be on their game, with North Queensland scoring 106 points in their last three home matches.
While the Cowboys have missed injured halfback Tom Dearden, Jake Clifford has stepped up in his place and rookie playmaker Liam Sutton continues to show signs of promise.
Up front, Jason Taumalolo has returned to his dominant ball-carrying best and Coen Hess will play his 200th game in the NRL.
Match: Cowboys v Dolphins
Round 14 -
home Team
Cowboys
8th Position
away Team
Dolphins
6th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Cowboys: One change a day out from the game, with Robert Derby dropping from the extended bench, with Wiremu Greig moving up. Skipper Reuben Cotter is back after being rested from the Raiders game and hooker Soni Luke (knee) is also good to go. Prop Tom Mikaele will start despite leaving the field with a knee injury in Canberra. Coen Hess will play his 200th NRL game.
Dolphins: Jeremy Marshall-King will start at hooker in a swap with Max Plath, who goes to the bench but the side is otherwise 1-19 as named on Tuesday. Herbie Farnworth and Kodi Nikorima will make their comebacks from hamstring injuries in a major boost for the Dolphins. Farnworth will line up in the centres, while Nikorima takes his place at five-eighth. Plath and winger Selwyn Cobbo are back from Origin duty. Felise Kaufusi and Brad Schneider go back to the bench.
Match: Cowboys v Dolphins
Round 14 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Dolphins
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Zac LaybuttWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon PurdueCentre for Dolphins is number 3 Jack Bostock
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom ChesterCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Liam SuttonFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake CliffordHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Thomas MikaeleProp for Dolphins is number 8 Thomas Flegler
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Dolphins is number 14 Jeremy Marshall-King
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason TaumaloloProp for Dolphins is number 10 Francis Molo
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Sam McIntyre2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Dolphins is number 13 Morgan Knowles
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni LukeInterchange for Dolphins is number 9 Max Plath
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin NeameInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Kurt Donoghoe
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen HessInterchange for Dolphins is number 16 Tom Gilbert
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 Ethan KingInterchange for Dolphins is number 17 Ray Stone
Reserves
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 16 Matthew LodgeReserve for Dolphins is number 18 Felise Kaufusi
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Wiremu GreigReserve for Dolphins is number 19 Bradley Schneider
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have scored 106 points in their last three games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- The Dolphins have won their last three games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored five tries in four games against the Dolphins.
- Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako has scored nine tries in his last six games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys prop Coen Hess will play his 200th NRL game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
