Another clash were the two teams involved, found themselves right in the middle of a seven team traffic-jam for a finals berth.

Since it was confirmed that coast Neil Henry will not be at the helm of the Cowboys next year, they have strung three wins together and find themselves eleventh on the ladder.

With a better for and against than most of the sides that are placed near them on the ladder, a win here could see the Cowboys enter the eight!

They’ve averaged 28 points in the past three weeks and playing like a team with nothing to lose, which makes them a dangerous proposition for Newcastle.

It’s been a mixed bag for the Knights over the past month with two wins, two losses and a draw.

Last week they did provide still competition against Melbourne who, through two late tries with one right on the full time siren, were flattered by the 23 – 10 score-line.

When the last met, in round three of this year, Newcastle were comprehensive winners 34 – 6. That was the Knight’s first win over the Cowboys in four matches and they’ll experience a better prepared Cowboys side this week.

Both sides have winnable games the remaining two rounds and a win for either here, would provide a great launching pad heading into the finals.

Whilst going with the home side to prevail, thought there wasn’t as much between them as the current market suggests.

TIP: COWBOYS 1 – 12

Odds comparison by NRL Odds:

Nth Queensland Cowboys	1.62	1.60	1.53	1.60	1.62	1.60
Newcastle Knights	2.25	2.35	2.55	2.35	2.25	2.35

Teams:

Nth Queensland Cowboys:
Matthew Bowen, Kyle Feldt, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Johnathan Thurston, Robert Lui, Matthew Scott, Ray Thompson, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Joel Riethmuller. Interchange: Rory Kostjasyn, Tariq Sims, Scott Bolton, Ricky Thorby, Ethan Lowe

Newcastle Knights:
Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Danny Buderus, Zane Tetevano, Robbie Rochow, Beau Scott, Alex McKinnon. Interchange: Kurt Gidley, Chris Houston, Neville Costigan, David Fa’alogo.