The third game on Saturday for NRL Round 24 is between Nth Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7:30PM with the game to be played at 1300SMILES Stadium. The favourite for the match is home team Nth Queensland Cowboys. View our preview and teams for the game between Nth Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights.

1300SMILES Stadium

Saturday, 7.30pm

Nth Queensland Cowboys $1.62 vs Newcastle Knights $2.25 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match

Nth Queensland Cowboys $1.53 vs Newcastle Knights $2.55 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

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

Preview:

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.

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.

Smith impressed by Knights ace Gagai

Queensland skipper Cameron Smith has earmarked Newcastle young gun Dane Gagai as a potential replacement for the injured Justin Hodges in next year’s State of Origin series.

The 22-year-old was praised by Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy after his side’s hard-fought 23-10 win over the Knights on Sunday and Test captain Smith has added his name to a growing list of admirers.

“I think anything is possible for Dane, he is a wonderful player,” Smith said.

“Both games we have played Newcastle this year he has been on the list of players we’ve looked at and tried to contain because he’s very dangerous with the footy.

“He’s been great ever since he started playing with the Broncos.”

Gagai has blossomed under Wayne Bennett who brought him to the club following his shock release by the Broncos midway through the 2012 season due to a series of minor disciplinary breaches.

The seven-time premiership coach immediately switched Gagai into the centres despite having played most of his junior career at fullback or on the wing.

And the move has been a big success with Gagai’s dazzling footwork and strong running drawing comparisons with Hodges, who’ll miss up to a year of action due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Gagai will return to face the Broncos for the first time next week and has always insisted he holds no hard feelings towards his former club.

And Smith said if the Mackay-born youngster continues his storming progress he’ll add his name to the list of candidates vying for Hodges’ spot.

“We’re pretty lucky to have a few guys like Dane playing well in that position,” he said.

“We had Justin O’Neill as 18th man for the third game this year and Will Chambers was there as well, and he’s had a fantastic year.

“We have three or four guys putting their hand up with Hodgo out.

“He’s had a pretty serious injury and if he doesn’t make it back we have some real good footballers wanting to put on a Maroon jersey for sure.”