Final team for Cairns trial

North Queensland Toyota Cowboys head coach Paul Green has confirmed his team to take on Wests Tigers in tonight’s trial match at Barlow Park in Cairns. 

Team co-captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott will make their long-awaited returns to the field following lengthy injuries in 2017, the veteran pair set to lead a band of emerging players around the park. 

Also back after a long injury-enforced absence will be young centre Shaun Hudson, who spent last year rehabbing from knee surgery.

Hudson this week said he was excited about returning to the paddock and praised the club in offering him a further one-year deal after he played no regular-season footy in 2017. 

Joining Scott in the front row will be Innisfail’s Scott Bolton, new recruit Francis Molo, 2017 grand finalist Corey Jensen and long-time first-grade squad member Sam Hoare, with all men looking to impress ahead of Round 1 against the Sharks on Friday 9 March. 

Young winger Murray Taulagi was a late inclusion in the 23-man squad to play tonight, the former Cowboys National Youth Competition flyer now part of Aaron Payne’s Cowboys development unit in 2018. 

Tonight’s game kicks off at 7.30pm and will be streamed live on cowboys.com.au.

Cowboys team to play Wests Tigers:  

1. Ben Hampton
2. Gideon Gela-Mosby
3. Javid Bowen
4. Shaun Hudson
5. Enari Tuala
6. Te Maire Martin
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Matt Scott
9. Jake Granville
10. Scott Bolton
11. Coen Hess
12. Ethan Lowe
13. John Asiata
14. Kyle Laybutt
15. Jake Clifford
16. Mitch Dunn
17. Shane Wright
18. Corey Jensen
19. Carlin Anderson
20. Emry Pere
21. Francis Molo
22. Sam Hoare
23. Murray Taulagi