Cowboys team list: Round 4 v Titans

North Queensland Toyota Cowboys rising star Griffin Neame will make his first starting appearance at NRL level in Saturday’s home XXXX Derby showdown with the Gold Coast Titans at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Neame has been named to start at prop, with Reuben Cotter sidelined with a knee injury. Cotter sustained a meniscus injury against the Warriors last weekend and is expected miss between 2-4 weeks.

A 22-year-old product of the Cowboys New Zealand Academy, Neame has appeared in 29 NRL games since making his debut in 2021 and was part of the extended Kiwis squad for the mid-year Test in 2022.

>>> Payten on Cotter's injury, Neame starting & Luki's minutes

Veteran prop James Tamou returns to the bench in the only other change to Todd Payten’s 17.

Heilum Luki retains his spot on the interchange after a successful return from ACL surgery last weekend.

Local products Tom Chester and Gehamat Shibasaki continue at fullback and centre respectively with Scott Drinkwater and Peta Hiku suspended.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 4.30pm.

Prior to the NRL fixture, Cowboys feeder club the Mackay Cutters will battle the Burleigh Bears in a Round 3 clash of the Women’s BMD Premiership.