Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 20 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury Bulldogs. The game kicks off at 6:15 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs. Canterbury Bulldogs game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday July 21, 2024 at 6:15 pm
Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs Odds
North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs Preview
North Queensland and Canterbury are both aiming to consolidate Top 8 positions in this tantalising Townsville round-closer.
The eighth-placed Cowboys, arguably the most inscrutable team in the NRL this year, bookended away wins at Canberra and Penrith with a heavy defeat to the Warriors and a golden point loss to Manly in their past four games.
The Cowboys have won just one of their last five at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, while all five of their Origin reps have been named in the reserves with Jaxon Purdue, Jake Clifford, Jake Granville, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Sam McIntyre the fill-ins named in the starting line-up.
The Bulldogs have clawed their way to fifth with five wins from their last six games, building their monumental 2024 improvement on a platform of the second-best defensive record in the NRL.
They edged the Sharks (13-12) and Warriors (15-14) in consecutive golden point thrillers with Matt Burton nailing the decisive field goals but neither was pretty.
The latter, in particular, highlighted some offensive shortcomings scoring only from an intercept and a bomb against a Warriors side decimated by injury.
The Bulldogs edged the Cowboys 15-14 at Accor Stadium in their only clash last season via yet another Burton field goal in golden point.
Only one of the teams last 13 encounters produced a total of more than 44 points.
Unbeatable at Accor Stadium, the Bulldogs have not travelled especially well, accumulating a 1-6 record on the road.
But their determination without the ball should be enough to inch past an Origin-weary opponent battling a form funk at home.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs Tip
We're tipping North Queensland Cowboys to win at $1.77 odds.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs Teams
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Jake Granville 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Jamal Shibasaki 17. Griffin Neame 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Semi Valemei 20. Valentine Holmes 21. Tom Dearden 22. Jeremiah Nanai 23. Reece Robson 24. Reuben Cotter
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi 19. Harry Hayes 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Hayze Perham 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Chris Patolo 25. Kitione Kautoga
