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Paul Green probably wonders what he did to deserve such bad luck on the injury front in 2019.

While the Cowboys haven't struck any real fear into the hearts of opponents due to a general lack of firepower, they have had to make do without key players like Michael Morgan, Jason Taumalolo, Matt Scott, Jordan McLean and Kyle Feldt at various stages of the season.

Last week they suffered their 14th loss of the season when they went down to the Knights in Newcastle and it might well be 15 after Friday night.

The Panthers missed a big chance to jump three or four points clear of their main top eight rivals with last week's road loss to Brisbane and basically face do-or-die games for the rest of the season.

The Rundown

Team news

Cowboys: Tom Gilbert and Corey Jensen are the final cuts for North Queensland. The club has rallied around prop Matt Scott after he suffered a mild stroke on Sunday. Scott Bolton has been named to start in his place. Coen Hess drops to the bench. Jordan Kahu shifts from wing to centre, with Murray Taulagi promoted to start on the wing. In a huge boost for the Cowboys Jason Taumalolo will make a return from a foot injury at lock. Halfback Jake Clifford dropped out on Thursday with an ankle injury so John Asiata will move into the halves. Gideon Gela-Mosby was omitted 24 hours before kick-off. 

Panthers: Jarome Luai and William Burns drop out of the match-day squad for Penrith. Josh Mansour has succumbed to a back injury and been replaced on the wing by 18-year-old Stephen Crichton, who returns from an ankle injury. Isaah Yeo has been named to start and Moses Leota is on the bench but they may swap again on game day as they did last week. Hame Sele and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak were omitted 24 hours before kick-off.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
    Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
    Winger for Panthers is number 2 Stephen Crichton
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jordan Kahu
    Centre for Panthers is number 3 Dean Whare
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Opacic
    Centre for Panthers is number 4 Brent Naden
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
    Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
  • Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Michael Morgan
    Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 James Maloney
  • Halfback for Cowboys is number 13 John Asiata
    Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Forwards

  • Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Scott Bolton
    Prop for Panthers is number 8 James Tamou
  • Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Jake Granville
    Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
  • Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean
    Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Gavin Cooper
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Shane Wright
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
  • Lock for Cowboys is number 18 Jason Taumalolo
    Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Reuben Cotter
    Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Spencer Leniu
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Coen Hess
    Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Moses Leota
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Peter Hola
    Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Francis Molo
    Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Wayde Egan

Match Officials

  • Referee: Matt Cecchin
  • Referee: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Tim Roby
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key match-up

The Panthers will turn to James Maloney and Nathan Cleary to spark the offence against Michael Morgan and Jake Clifford. Viliame Kikau has to out-play veteran Cowboys back-rower Gavin Cooper and get back to his usual damaging self on the fringes.

For the Cowboys to win

The Morgan-Clifford combination has to fire, while the outside backs need to show some signs of life and prove to Green they deserve a look-in when he sits down to nut out his squad for next season.

For the Panthers to win

It's their second trip to Queensland in as many weeks and if it doesn't end better than it did against the Broncos, the Panthers' courageous mid-season revival might be all for nothing. Ivan Cleary has to be ready to make adjustments on the run and make sure his team is ready to weather an early onslaught.

Brett Kimmorley says

Penrith have plenty to play for now. We’ve seen them play good – and play bad.  It’s three rounds to go now, they need to find three consistent wins. If that’s going to happen it has got to happen off the back of their forwards. As for the Cowboys, they now sit in 15th which is not very good. They need to find a lot more than just a high completion rate to win a game of football. Panthers by 8

Stat Attack

James Maloney has kicked more field goals (4) than any other player in the NRL, but he has also given away more penalties (23) and missed more tackles (109) than anybody.

And another thing ...

Friday's clash will be the first between the Panthers in 2019. They squared off twice last season, with the Panthers prevailing 33-14 in round four at Townsville before the Cowboys atoned with a 26-20 victory in round nine at Bathurst.

 

Acknowledgement of Country

Queensland Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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