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A Queensland derby will be part of the round three Telstra Premiership restart with the Titans looking for their first win of the season against the Cowboys.

North Queensland split their opening two matches of the season before the hiatus brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cowboys have a relatively settled squad while rookie coach Justin Holbrook has had to deal with plenty of upheaval in the past couple of months, with centre Kallum Watkins returning to the UK and fullback AJ Brimson ruled out indefinitely with a back problem.

The Rundown

Team news

Cowboys: The Cowboys will start 1-17 after Tom Gilbert and Tom Opacic were the last two dropped from the reserves list. Michael Morgan (shoulder, round seven) and Gavin Cooper (calf) are out with Jake Clifford at halfback and Mitchell Dunn in the second row. Shane Wright joins the interchange. Corey Jensen and Reuben Cotter dropped off the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off. The Cowboys have won their past nine games against the Titans. 

Titans: Jonus Pearson and Brian Kelly will start in the backline with Tyrone Roberts (ankle) and Anthony Don (knee) dropping out of the side. The Titans have reshuffled their backline with Tyrone Peachey and Dale Copley at centre, Phillip Sami on the wing and Jamal Fogarty debuting at halfback and Ash Taylor switching to five-eighth. Bryce Cartwright and Mitch Rein were dropped from the squad an hour before kick-off. The Titans have not won in Townsville since 2012.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Valentine Holmes
    Fullback for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
    Winger for Titans is number 20 Brian Kelly
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Justin O'Neill
    Centre for Titans is number 3 Dale Copley
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Esan Marsters
    Centre for Titans is number 4 Tyrone Peachey
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Ben Hampton
    Winger for Titans is number 21 Jonus Pearson
  • Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott Drinkwater
    Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Ashley Taylor
  • Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford
    Halfback for Titans is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Forwards

  • Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Josh McGuire
    Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
  • Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Jake Granville
    Hooker for Titans is number 9 Nathan Peats
  • Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean
    Prop for Titans is number 10 Sam Lisone
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Mitchell Dunn
    2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Coen Hess
    2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Keegan Hipgrave
  • Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo
    Lock for Titans is number 13 Jai Arrow

Interchange

  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Reece Robson
    Interchange for Titans is number 14 Erin Clark
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 John Asiata
    Interchange for Titans is number 15 Jai Whitbread
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Shane Wright
    Interchange for Titans is number 16 Jarrod Wallace
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Francis Molo
    Interchange for Titans is number 17 Shannon Boyd

Match Officials

  • Referee: Henry Perenara
  • Touch Judge: Tim Roby
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram

Last updated:

Acknowledgement of Country

North Queensland Cowboys respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.