Cowboys vs Dolphins Prediction: Dolphins can triumph in Townsville

There are NRL points and inter-state bragging rights at stake as the North Queensland Cowboys host the Dolphins at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday morning (10:35, Sky Sports+).

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Cowboys vs Dolphins prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in Townsville.

Team News

The Cowboys have been hit hard by absentees on State of Origin duty, with the likes of Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Reece Robson and Jeremiah Nanai unavailable.

In their absence, North Queensland go with Jason Taumalolo, Kai O’Donnell, Sam McIntyre, Coen Hess, Karl Lawton and Jordan McLean in the forwards.

Jake Clifford, Jaxon Purdue, Murray Taulagi, Braidon Burns, Zac Laybutt, Robert Derby and Scott Drinkwater will start in the backs for the Cowboys.

As for the Dolphins, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is away on Origin duty, so Jake Averillo moves to full-back and Max Feagai comes into the centres.

Isaiah Katoa, Kodi Nikorima, Jack Bostock, Herbie Farnworth and Jamayne Isaako make up the rest of the backline for the Dolphins.

In the forwards, the visitors go with Kurt Donoghoe, Oryn Keeley, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Felise Kaufusi, Jeremy Marshall-King and Francis Molo.

Cowboys vs Dolphins Odds

North Queensland Cowboys are the 13/8 underdogs to come out on top on home soil, while the Dolphins are 8/15 to head back to Brisbane with the win.

A draw on Saturday morning is available at 18/1, while over 49.5 total points to be scored in the game is currently 5/6.

Dolphins -6 handicap @ 1/1

With the Dolphins in seventh and the Cowboys in sixth - and with just a point between them - there has been little to separate these sides ahead of Saturday’s showdown in Townsville.

The Cowboys will sorely miss the likes of Dearden, Cotter, Robson and Nanai this weekend, as they look to bounce back after what was a heavy 38-14 defeat at the hands of Melbourne Storm last time out.

Back in the home comforts for Queensland Country Bank Stadium, that will provide the Cowboys a boost but it’s the Dolphins who look capable of coming away from Townsville with the points and the bragging rights.

The Dolphins know what it takes to win at this venue, having edged to a 28-26 victory in their most recent meeting in the NRL last season.

While not too much can be read into pre-season, the Dolphins also romped to a 50-8 win in Townsville back in February, with a number of first-team players featuring in that game.

There is unlikely to be too much between these sides, but with the Cowboys missing a handful of important figures, it’s the Dolphins who look to be good value to claim the victory and cover the handicap in the process.

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