Club games don't come much bigger these days than the Broncos-Cowboys derby, with the neighbouring teams having played out plenty of recent classics.
Throw into the mix that North Queensland are unveiling their new Queensland Country Bank Stadium and this match has all the ingredients for a round one thriller.
Both teams are looking for improvement after underwhelming 2019 seasons – the Cowboys came 14th while the Broncos limped into the finals and were then demolished 58-0 by the Eels.
Match: Cowboys v Broncos
Round 1 -
home Team
Cowboys
12th Position
away Team
Broncos
5th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
The Rundown
Team news
Cowboys: A late change to the 17 with Shane Wright making way for Corey Jensen on the bench. Tom Opacic was the other player to drop out an hour before game time. Valentine Holmes will make his highly anticipated Cowboys debut, meaning a shift to five-eighth for playmaker Scott Drinkwater. Ex-Tiger Esan Marsters makes his first Cowboys appearance in the centres. Josh McGuire has a knee injury but couldn’t have played anyway because of a suspension from last season. Connelly Lemuelu and Jake Clifford dropped off the reserves list 24 hours before kick-off.
Broncos: With Jack Bird out for the season after suffering a torn ACL at training on Wednesday, Jamayne Isaako takes over at fullback. Isaako's place on the bench is taken by Herbie Farnworth, who played two games in his debut season in 2019. New skipper Alex Glenn failed to overcome his hamstring injury leaving young back-rower Patrick Carrigan and playmaker Brodie Croft to co-captain the side. Corey Oates completed a successful comeback from an infection to take his place in the season opener. New recruit Jesse Arthars gets a start on the wing while Jamil Hopoate will make his NRL debut off the bench after impressive form with Redcliffe during the past two seasons. Xavier Coates and Tom Dearden dropped off the reserves list on Thursday night while Ethan Bullemor was the last man cut an hour before kick-off.
Match: Cowboys v Broncos
Round 1 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Valentine HolmesFullback for Broncos is number 14 Jamayne Isaako
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Justin O'NeillCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Esan MarstersCentre for Broncos is number 4 Darius Boyd
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Ben HamptonWinger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse Arthars
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott DrinkwaterFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Michael MorganHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Brodie Croft
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 John AsiataProp for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Jake GranvilleHooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLeanProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Gavin Cooper2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 David Fifita
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Coen Hess2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason TaumaloloLock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Reece RobsonInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Andrew McCullough
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Mitchell DunnInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Rhys Kennedy
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Francis MoloInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Jamil Hopoate
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Corey JensenInterchange for Broncos is number 19 Herbie Farnworth
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Referee: Gavin Badger
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key match-up
Scott Drinkwater v Anthony Milford. Two men under the microscope for very different reasons. Milford simply must step up and take control of the Broncos and form a partnership with Brodie Croft as quickly as possible while Drinkwater will be out to make a home for himself in the No.6 with Val Holmes taking the fulback spot.
For the Cowboys to win
Holmes will attract the focus, but Michael Morgan could have the biggest influence on the team. By his own admission, the captain didn't perform at his best in 2019 and the Cowboys suffered. With the halfback leading the way, North Queensland will be right in this.
For the Broncos to win
Even without the injured Matt Lodge, Brisbane have arguably the best young forward pack in the game. The extra responsibility could enhance the performances of Payne Haas, David Fifita, Patrick Carrigan and Tevita Pangai jnr. They hold the blueprint to success.
Brett Kimmorley says
Riding the atmosphere of their new stadium, I've got the Cowboys to beat Brisbane in another epic. Michael Morgan's now had 12 months without Johnathan Thurston and he's got to stand up for his side to shine. I think Valentine Holmes will remain the match-winning player he was at Cronulla, while Anthony Milford will show his class for Brisbane. Cowboys by 7.
Stat Attack
Broncos winger Corey Oates chalked up an NRL-high five intercepts last season, while Brisbane topped the intercepts among teams with 16. The Broncos also had more tackle breaks (939) than any other team.
And another thing ...
North Queensland coach Paul Green played for both the Cowboys and Broncos during his 162-game career. After starting his career at Cronulla, Green moved to Townsville in 1999 and played 35 games for the club he now coaches. He later had stints at the Roosters and Eels before finishing his career in Brisbane in 2004.
