The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys host arch-rivals Brisbane at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday evening.
1. QUEENSLAND DERBY
The Cowboys will be desperate to reverse a lean run of form against their biggest rivals. North Queensland have lost their previous three showdowns with the Broncos, with their most recent victory a 40-26 triumph in Round 16 of the 2022 season. The two teams have split four meetings at Queensland Country Bank Stadium two apiece.
2. HONOURING A LEGEND
Saturday’s matchday will be dedicated to the memory of Carl Webb. Webb, who appeared in 115 games for the Cowboys and 66 for the Broncos, passed away in 2023 due to Motor Neurone Disease. North Queensland will don Charity Jerseys, which are replicas of the 2005 Cowboys jersey. The Cowboys have also retired the No.12 jersey for the match, with Jeremiah Nanai to wear No.24. As they did in Round 4 this season, Cowboys and Broncos players will compete for the Carl Webb Medal, which will be awarded to the Man of the Match.
3. THE MEN WHO PAVED THE WAY
Saturday will also double as Cowboys Old Boys Day, with more than 50 past players confirmed to be in attendance. The Old Boys will form a guard of honour for the Cowboys to run on to the field. Cowboys fans will see many familiar faces, including Antonio Winterstein, Matt Bowen, Jacob Lillyman, Matt Scott, Michael Morgan, Paul Rauhihi, John Buttigieg, David Myles, Laurie Spina and Lachlan Coote.
4. STATS UPDATE
Scott Drinkwater continues to lead the NRL with 24 linebreak assists, four in front of the Roosters’ James Tedesco. Drinkwater ranks second with 21 try assists and total runs with 371. Valentine Holmes (176) is just nine points behind Jamayne Isaako (185) for the NRL’s point-scoring crown. Kyle Feldt has broken into the NRL’s top five try scorers with 15 for the season, five behind Alofiana Khan-Pereira. Reece Robson’s 710 tackles are the fifth-most in the competition.
