Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 25 match is between Gold Coast Titans and Nth Queensland Cowboys. The opening kick is set to commence at 17:30 local time with the game to be played at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast. The away team Nth Queensland Cowboys are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Gold Coast Titans and Nth Queensland Cowboys.
When: 17:30 | Saturday 01/09/2018
Where: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Preview:
Unfortunately for the Titans, this game happens to be the master Jonathan Thurston’s last ever game and for that reason the Cowboys will win.
They have been great over the past few weeks and will again aim up against a Titans team who will also fancy themselves after taking the Storm down to the wire last week.
KEY BATTLE: AJ Brimson v Jake Clifford
The battle I’m most looking forward to isn’t the obvious one but the one between the two young halves.
Both are under-20s Queensland teammates in AJ Brimson and Jake Clifford.
I’m sure these two will be long serving players for their respective clubs.
The Verdict
Another emotional game for the men from the north.
Either way, the curtains fall for both of these teams.
Cowboys have a 42-40 (51.2 percent) record after winning as a favourite since 2011.
Unibet Odds:
Gold Coast Titans at $2.50
Nth Queensland Cowboys at $1.54
Odds:
Tip: Nth Queensland Cowboys at $1.54
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Kyle Feldt at $9.00
More Info:
Teams:
Gold Coast Titans:
1. AJ Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Konrad Hurrell 4. Brenko Lee 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kane Elgey 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Ryan James 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Keegan Hipgrave 13. Jai Arrow
Interchange: 14. Mitch Rein 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Jack Stockwell 17. Will Matthews
Reserves: 18. Bryce Cartwright 21. Brendan Elliott
Players cut: 19. Jai Whitbread 20. Leilani Latu
Nth Queensland Cowboys: 
1. Ben Hampton 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Gideon Gela-mosby 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Johnathan Thurston 8. Matthew Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Ethan Lowe 15. John Asiata 16. Shaun Fensom17. Scott Bolton
Reserves: 19. Jake Clifford 21. Shane Wright
NRL News:
Knowing there’s just one more game should be enough to lift North Queensland again for what Paul Green admits will be a sad farewell for Johnathan Thurston.
The Cowboys rode the wave of public sentiment last Friday to blitz Parramatta in the champion’s Townsville swansong.
They will need to shake off any emotional hangover on the Gold Coast this Saturday as the star half bids goodbye to his playing days.
Green is confident that, in front of an historic sell-out crowd, they’ll be up for the occasion against the Titans.
“The players did a really good job last week of making sure they prepared really well but enjoyed the occasion as well,” the coach said.
“That’s the blue print for us this week.
“It’s only one game, if they are feeling any effects … we all know it’s one game and I’d be surprised if they can’t get up for it again.
“I think while there will always be a touch of sadness when the curtain finally draws he’s probably looking forward to the next part of life too.”
Green has dropped rookie Jake Clifford with Te Maire Martin (ankle) set to return from injury to partner Thurston in the halves while Ben Hampton earns another chance to impress at fullback.
The coach had been buoyed by Clifford’s steady development and hopes he shows his class while steering feeder team the Northern Pride through a Queensland Cup finals campaign.
“That could be just as beneficial for him,” Green said.
