Oracle of Delphi
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Craig HillRound twenty preview - Tigers vs Cowboys
July 30th 2007 03:35
VENUE and TIME: Leichhardt Oval 7:00pm AEST, Monday July 30
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 16, Cowboys 10, Tigers 6
LAST TIME: Cowboys 25 - Tigers 24 at Dairy Farmers Stadium, round 4, 2007
COVERAGE: Fox Sports, ABC Radio (North QLD), Triple M
MEDICAL ROOM:
The Tigers will be bolstered by the return of skipper Brett Hodgson and Benji Marshall from injury for this vital clash. Marshall has been out since round eight with a cracked shoulder, while Hodgson suffered a fractured cheekbone in round 12 and returns to play his 200th first-grade game. Prop Todd Payten (ankle) will return to face the Titans next weekend, while Danny Galea (hamstring) is scheduled to return in round 25. Promising winger Shannon McDonnell remains sidelined for the season with a knee injury.
North Queensland will be without the services of five representative standard forwards for this clash, with Jason Smith (ankle), Jacob Lillyman (ankle) and Steve Southern (knee) due back within the next fortnight, while Luke O’Donnell (hamstring) and Shane Tronc (knee) will not play again this season.
FORM:
The Tigers normally watertight defensive line has conceded 72 points in the past fortnight in losses to the Warriors and the Sea Eagles. Having lost four of their past six matches, the Tigers have slipped from 4th spot on the ladder to eighth on differentials.
North Queensland is another team on the slide, with the Cowboys slipping from the top four to seventh position after consecutive losses to the Rabbitohs and Broncos. With three of their last six matches away from home, the Cowboys could well yet miss the semi finals given their woeful -69 differentials and lack of forward depth.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Benji Marshall vs Johnathan Thurston
After experiencing a frustrating time on the sidelines, Marshall will be primed for a big match against currently the best halfback in the league. Marshall returns in the number seven jersey, and will be responsible for creating much of the Tigers attack when inside the Cowboys red zone. It’s a simple equation for the Tigers – if Marshall and Hodgson fire then they will win.
Hampered by a debilitating shoulder injury, Thurston’s drop in form has coincided with the Cowboys slide down the premiership ladder. Thurston’s trade mark ‘show and go’ has been noticeably missing in recent weeks, with the incumbent Test half’s lack of fitness really stifling the usually fluent Cowboys attack. If the Cowboys are to win, then it will be on the back of the Thurston’s short kicking game for speedy backs Matt Bowen and Ashley Graham.
Brett Hodgson vs Matt Bowen
Two of the smallest custodians in the business clash head to head this Monday night in what shapes as being an entertaining battle.
Returning from a long injury layoff, Hodgson will be keen to inject himself early to regain some confidence. The plucky Hodgson can always be counted on in times of need, with his ability to act as a third playmaker when in attack invaluable.
Enjoying a stellar season, Bowen currently leads the NRL’s leading try scorers and line breaks lists, with the spritely number one in career best form. Possessing blinding acceleration and quicksilver footwork, Bowen’s attacking combination with Thurston will need to be on-song if the Cowboys are going to secure a much needed win.
VERDICT:
The return of Hodgson and Marshall is not only a major boost for a Tigers side that is out of form, but it also allows Robbie Farah to move back to the position where he is at his most dangerous. The attacking prowess of Hodgson, Marshall and Farah, coupled with a packed out Leichhardt Oval should be enough to get the Tigers over a North Queensland side that relies heavily on Thurston and Bowen. Tigers by 8.
Wests Tigers Team
Brett Hodgson ©, Daniel Fitzhenry, Dean Collis, Paul Whatuira, Chris Lawrence, John Morris, Benji Marshall, Keith Galloway, Robbie Farah, Bryce Gibbs, Taniela Tuiaki, Chris Heighington, Liam Fulton
Bench: Ben Galea, Dene Halatau, Bronson Harrison, Ben Te’o
North Queensland Cowboys Team
Matt Bowen, Scott Minto, Ashley Graham, Paul Bowman, Brenton Bowen, Ben Farrar, Johnathan Thurston (c), Ray Cashmere, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, Sam Faust, Justin Smith, Sione Faumuina
Bench: David Faiumu, Scott Bolton, Matthew Bartlett, Matt Scott
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 16, Cowboys 10, Tigers 6
LAST TIME: Cowboys 25 - Tigers 24 at Dairy Farmers Stadium, round 4, 2007
COVERAGE: Fox Sports, ABC Radio (North QLD), Triple M
MEDICAL ROOM:
The Tigers will be bolstered by the return of skipper Brett Hodgson and Benji Marshall from injury for this vital clash. Marshall has been out since round eight with a cracked shoulder, while Hodgson suffered a fractured cheekbone in round 12 and returns to play his 200th first-grade game. Prop Todd Payten (ankle) will return to face the Titans next weekend, while Danny Galea (hamstring) is scheduled to return in round 25. Promising winger Shannon McDonnell remains sidelined for the season with a knee injury.
North Queensland will be without the services of five representative standard forwards for this clash, with Jason Smith (ankle), Jacob Lillyman (ankle) and Steve Southern (knee) due back within the next fortnight, while Luke O’Donnell (hamstring) and Shane Tronc (knee) will not play again this season.
FORM:
The Tigers normally watertight defensive line has conceded 72 points in the past fortnight in losses to the Warriors and the Sea Eagles. Having lost four of their past six matches, the Tigers have slipped from 4th spot on the ladder to eighth on differentials.
North Queensland is another team on the slide, with the Cowboys slipping from the top four to seventh position after consecutive losses to the Rabbitohs and Broncos. With three of their last six matches away from home, the Cowboys could well yet miss the semi finals given their woeful -69 differentials and lack of forward depth.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Benji Marshall vs Johnathan Thurston
After experiencing a frustrating time on the sidelines, Marshall will be primed for a big match against currently the best halfback in the league. Marshall returns in the number seven jersey, and will be responsible for creating much of the Tigers attack when inside the Cowboys red zone. It’s a simple equation for the Tigers – if Marshall and Hodgson fire then they will win.
Hampered by a debilitating shoulder injury, Thurston’s drop in form has coincided with the Cowboys slide down the premiership ladder. Thurston’s trade mark ‘show and go’ has been noticeably missing in recent weeks, with the incumbent Test half’s lack of fitness really stifling the usually fluent Cowboys attack. If the Cowboys are to win, then it will be on the back of the Thurston’s short kicking game for speedy backs Matt Bowen and Ashley Graham.
Brett Hodgson vs Matt Bowen
Two of the smallest custodians in the business clash head to head this Monday night in what shapes as being an entertaining battle.
Returning from a long injury layoff, Hodgson will be keen to inject himself early to regain some confidence. The plucky Hodgson can always be counted on in times of need, with his ability to act as a third playmaker when in attack invaluable.
Enjoying a stellar season, Bowen currently leads the NRL’s leading try scorers and line breaks lists, with the spritely number one in career best form. Possessing blinding acceleration and quicksilver footwork, Bowen’s attacking combination with Thurston will need to be on-song if the Cowboys are going to secure a much needed win.
VERDICT:
The return of Hodgson and Marshall is not only a major boost for a Tigers side that is out of form, but it also allows Robbie Farah to move back to the position where he is at his most dangerous. The attacking prowess of Hodgson, Marshall and Farah, coupled with a packed out Leichhardt Oval should be enough to get the Tigers over a North Queensland side that relies heavily on Thurston and Bowen. Tigers by 8.
Wests Tigers Team
Brett Hodgson ©, Daniel Fitzhenry, Dean Collis, Paul Whatuira, Chris Lawrence, John Morris, Benji Marshall, Keith Galloway, Robbie Farah, Bryce Gibbs, Taniela Tuiaki, Chris Heighington, Liam Fulton
Bench: Ben Galea, Dene Halatau, Bronson Harrison, Ben Te’o
North Queensland Cowboys Team
Matt Bowen, Scott Minto, Ashley Graham, Paul Bowman, Brenton Bowen, Ben Farrar, Johnathan Thurston (c), Ray Cashmere, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, Sam Faust, Justin Smith, Sione Faumuina
Bench: David Faiumu, Scott Bolton, Matthew Bartlett, Matt Scott
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