XXXX things you need to know: Round 5 v Titans
The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys host the Gold Coast Titans in the first home XXXX Derby of the 2024 season.
1. ACHIEVEMENT OF A LIFETIME
Jake Granville becomes Cowboys Life Member No.12 on Sunday afternoon when he celebrates his 200th appearance for the club. Granville will be just the ninth player in club history to notch up 200 appearances. The 35-year-old will lead the Cowboys on to the field on Sunday afternoon through a guard of honour featuring fellow life members and former teammates.
2. QUEENSLAND DERBY
The Cowboys and Titans split the two meetings last season, but North Queensland did claim the home fixture with a 24-12 victory behind tries to Tom Chester, Valentine Holmes, Jeremiah Nanai and James Tamou. The Cowboys own a 19-12 lead in the overall head-to-head matchup.
3. EMERGING STARS
The top talent from the Cowboys Greenhorns Academy will play a curtain raiser on Queensland Country Bank Stadium prior to the Cowboys and Titans clash on Sunday afternoon. The players, aged 15 and 16, will be in camp from Friday to Monday and will be split into two teams for the game, which kicks off at 1.40pm.
4. STATS UPDATE
Valentine Holmes continues to lead the NRL with 44 points as he chases his second point-scoring crown in three seasons. Reece Robson’s four try assists are tied for second, while Chad Townsend leads the competition with two field goals. Holmes is ranked third with four line-break assists.
