Cowboys v Panthers: Dearden late inclusion; Cleary rests 11 starters
A win for the Cowboys gives them a shot at a home final in Townsville so there's plenty at stake for Todd Payten's men.
Should they knock off the defending champs on Saturday night the Cowboys will join the second-placed Sharks on 36 competition points and then be cheering for an upset win by the Knights over Cronulla on Sunday.
If the Storm win on Thursday night and the Cowboys lose then they will fall to fourth and face Penrith again in week one of the finals.
With the minor premiership in their keeping Ivan Cleary will no doubt take the opportunity to rest some stars - just how many are given a breather will be revealed on Tuesday when the squads are named.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Cowboys v Panthers
The Rundown
Team news
Cowboys: A big in for the Cowboys with playmaker Tom Dearden called into the starting side an hour before kick-off as he returns from surgery on a ruptured testicle. His inclusion sees Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow drop back to the bench and Jake Granville to 18th Man. Forward Coen Hess will miss the game due to suspension so Reuben Cotter joins the starting side and Griffin Neame comes onto the bench.
Panthers: The Panthers are 1-17 with no late changes. Coach Ivan Cleary has chosen to rest Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton, Izack Tago, Taylan May, Jarome Luai, Moses Leota, James Fisher-Harris, Viliame Kikau and Isaah Yeo while Api Koroisau (ankle) and Spencer Leniu (shoulder) are also out. Scott Sorensen is back from a calf injury in the second row while regular bench players Matt Eisenhuth and Mitch Kenny move into the starting side. Charlie Staines gets another run at fullback and Sunia Turuva is on the wing while Thomas Jenkins makes his NRL debut at centre as do Liam Henry and Jack Cole on the bench. Mavrik Geyer is 18th Man.
Match: Cowboys v Panthers
Round 25 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Panthers is number 1 Charlie Staines
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Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
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Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine HolmesCentre for Panthers is number 3 Robert Jennings
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Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta HikuCentre for Panthers is number 4 Thomas Jenkins
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Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Panthers is number 5 Christian Crichton
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Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 21 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Kurt Falls
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Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad TownsendHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan
Forwards
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Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Panthers is number 8 Lindsay Smith
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Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Reuben CotterProp for Panthers is number 10 Matthew Eisenhuth
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Chris Smith
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Scott Sorensen
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Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason TaumaloloLock for Panthers is number 13 J'maine Hopgood
Interchange
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 6 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Soni Luke
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Tom GilbertInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Eddie Blacker
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne Taunoa-BrownInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin NeameInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Jack Cole
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 14 Jake GranvilleReplacement for Panthers is number 18 Mavrik Geyer
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Chad Townsend v Sean O'Sullivan: The veteran Cowboy has given himself a realistic shot at a second premiership ring to go with the one he collected with the Sharks in 2016. Townsend's steadying hand, calming influence and 19 try assists have been a huge factor in the Cowboys' remarkable transformation and his big-game experience will be critical in the weeks ahead. O'Sullivan, meanwhile, has done a fine job keeping the No.7 jersey warm in Nathan Cleary's absence and he would love nothing better than to hand the keys back to the champ on a winning note. The 24-year-old has proved he has what it takes to get the job done should Cleary be sidelined for any reason during the finals series and if the Panthers do go on to claim back-to-back titles he can certainly take plenty of credit for his role.
Stat Attack
Cowboys back-rower Jeremiah Nanai's tally of 17 tries has him third on the list behind Alex Johnston and Corey Oates. The 19-year-old has found the stripe in 12 of his 20 matches this season and he is a runaway leader as the NRL's top tryscoring forward, with Raider Hudson Young next best on 11.
Match: Cowboys v Panthers
Round 25 -
home Team
Cowboys
3rd Position
away Team
Panthers
1st Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
