The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys host the Penrith Panthers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday night.
1. DOUBLE CELEBRATION
Kyle Feldt is set to become the 13th Cowboys Life Member when he steps out for his 200th club appearance on Saturday night. Feldt will be just the 10th player to appear in 200 games for North Queensland. It’s also an enormous occasion for Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend, who celebrates his 250th NRL appearance.
2. TOM’S TURN
Prop Tom Mikaele will make his Cowboys debut from the interchange against the Panthers. Mikaele, who has previously played for the Wests Tigers and Gold Coast Titans, will become Cowboy No.314. Griffin Neame will start in the front row for the first time in 2024, with Jason Taumalolo reverting to the bench.
3. DRINKY MAGIC
Few teams have winning records against the three-time reigning premiers in recent seasons, but the Cowboys have managed to split the previous four fixtures against the Panthers two apiece. Both the Cowboys victories came at home, with the most recent being a Golden Point thriller in Round 16 last season, with Scott Drinkwater crossing for a try to hand North Queensland a memorable victory.
4. RISING STARS
Cowboys fans will have another opportunity to see the club’s best up-and-coming talent on Saturday. The Cowboys will take on the Broncos in an under 17s fixture at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. The Cowboys team will be made up of players from the club’s Bucks Program. North Queensland fans will notice a familiar name on the team sheet, with Christian Mikaele, the younger brother of Cowboys prop, to play five-eighth. Kick off is at 4.35pm.
>>> Cowboys U17s team list v Broncos
