VENUE & TIME: Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday March 20, 9.30pm (AEDT).
COVERAGE: Fox Sports
HEAD TO HEADPlayed 24, Panthers 15, Cowboys 9
LAST TIME: Panthers 28 - Cowboys 20 at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Round 20, 2009.
MATCH ODDS: Luxbet: Cowboys $1.65, Panthers $2.25
WALKING WOUNDED: The Cowboys will again be without Matt Bowen as he continues to battle with a knee injury, while prop Carl Webb (knee) remains in doubt despite being included on an extended bench.
The Panthers welcome back former Test forward Trent Waterhouse after he missed last week with a quad strain. Tigers recruit Dane Laurie is out for a further month after breaking a finger at training. Five-eighth Wade Graham (shoulder) and utility Gavin (foot) are also unavailable.
FORM: The Cowboys created a big momentum shift last week and almost overcame a 24-0 deficit to pip the Broncos at the post. The Townsville-based club spent the bulk of the first-half being dominated around the ruck and out-wide, before skipper Johnathan Thurston decided enough was enough, almost single-handedly turning the game on it's head. Unfortunately, a poor decision by 'JT' late in the game cost the Cowboys possession and ultimately the match.
The Panthers were one of the more impressive performers in Round 1, despite allowing the Raiders back into the match after leading 22-0 at one stage. Panther sides of previous seasons would have struggled to halt the momentum flow, but the 2010 mountain men refused to panic on their way to an 18-point win.
WHO'S HOT: Thurston was head and shoulders above any of his teammates at Suncorp Stadium last Friday night and looks set for yet another big season. Special mention must also go to centre Willie Tonga who appeared back to his attacking best, especially when afforded good, clean early ball.
The Panthers had a host of good players last Saturday night, but none better than half-back Luke Walsh. This kid is a genuine No. 7, possessing the smarts to propel the Panthers into the top-eight for the first time since 2004.
WE THINK: The Panthers have won four of their past five matches against the Cowboys, including three on the trot at Dairy Farmers Stadium. The return of Waterhouse to the pack gives Penrith a distinct advantage in the forwards and with Jennings and Pritchard ready to create some havoc down the left side, the Cowboys' vulnerable right-edge defence could struggle. The Cowboys will need to start well in this one. Panthers by 8.
TEAMS
North Queensland Cowboys:
1 Ty Williams, 2 John Williams, 3 Ashley Graham, 4 Willie Tonga, 5 Michael Bani, 6 Grant Rovelli, 7 Johnathan Thurston, 8 Matthew Scott, 9 Aaron Payne, 10 Antonio Kaufusi, 11 Scott Bolton, 12 Steve Southern, 13 Luke O'Donnell. Interchange: 14 Anthony Watts, 15 Steve Rapira, 16 Willie Mason, 17 Manase Manuokafoa, 18 Carl Webb, 19 James Tamou (two to be omitted).
Penrith Panthers:
1 Lachlan Coote, 2 Michael Gordon, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Adrian Purtell, 5 Shane Elford, 6 Travis Burns, 7 Luke Walsh, 8 Tim Grant, 9 Kevin Kingston, 10 Petero Civoniceva [c], 11 Frank Pritchard, 12.Trent Waterhouse, 13 Luke Lewis. Interchange: 14 Joseph Paulo, 15 Nathan Smith, 16 Matthew Bell, 17 Sam McKendry, 18 Ryan Walker, 20 Nigel Plum, 21 Frank Puletua (three to be omitted).
Referees: Ben Cummins, Chris James