The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys host the Dolphins in a Good Friday clash at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
1. NEW FOES
The Cowboys will play host to the NRL’s newest team for the first time on Friday night. North Queensland have had a sneak peak at the Dolphins, meeting in a trial game in Cairns prior to the season, which ended in a 22-all draw.
2. BIG GUNS RETURN
The return of Scott Drinkwater (suspension) and Reuben Cotter (knee injury) provides the Cowboys with an instant boost on Friday night. Drinkwater will line up at fullback after missing the previous three games, while Cotter has been named at prop, replacing the injured Jordan McLean.
3. SHIFTING WIDE
Two weeks ago Griffin Neame made his first ever NRL start, on Friday he achieves another maiden feat. Neame has been named to start in the second row for the first time at NRL level. A prop throughout the majority of his junior and brief senior career, Neame spent time at second row throughout the pre-season and instantly impressed Cowboys coaching staff.
4. STATS UPDATE
Chad Townsend remains in a tie atop the leaderboard for the most try assists in the competition this season with six. Townsend also ranks third with 2,655 kicking metres. Valentine Holmes’ 16 goals are tied for second most in the NRL and sits fifth with 26 tackle breaks. Reece Robson has made the third most tackles in the competition with 237 in five games.
5. RISING STARS
Cowboys fans in attendance on Good Friday will receive a glimpse into the distant future of the club, with the Cowboys Greenhorns Academy (under 16s) players to split into two teams for a curtain raiser game. The game kicks off at 5.40pm.
