Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 10 clash between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Penrith Panthers.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
North Queensland Cowboys Vs Penrith Panthers
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Date: Saturday May 10, 7:35pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Semi Valemei 21. Karl Lawton 22. Kai O’Donnell
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Thomas Jenkins 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Casey McLean 21. Daine Laurie 22. Trent Toelau
Referee: Todd Smith
Bunker: Chris Butler
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
After the glitz and glamour of Magic Round, the North Queensland Cowboys and Penrith Panthers return to regular programming at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday night.
The Cowboys suffered their first loss in six weeks despite a late comeback against the Warriors, while the Panthers showed some of the form that saw them win four consecutive premierships to beat the Broncos.
There’s one change for Todd Payten’s Cowboys, with Reuben Cotter suspended for two matches due to a high tackle on Marata Niukore during Magic Round, seeing Sam McIntyre start at lock with Tom Mikaele joining the bench.
In a welcome boost for the Panthers, they welcome Mitch Kenny (suspension) and Brian To’o (hamstring) back into the side. Kenny missed their last two matches after a hip drop against the Roosters in round 7, while To’o has been sidelined ever since reinjuring his hamstring against the Roosters in round 2. The return of Kenny sees Trent Toelau drop out of the side, while Tom Jenkins moves to the bench to accommodate To’o. Mavrik Geyer and Luke Sommerton both drop off the bench, with Brad Schneider moving into the side instead.
Although a poor first half ended the Cowboys’ four-match winning run, they’ve been one of the form teams of the competition in recent times, including wins over Canberra and Penrith and a 50-18 thrashing of Gold Coast. Since round 4, they’re the second-best attacking team and third-best defensive team by average points scored and conceded.
In their five-match losing run, the Panthers’ famed defence was their Achilles’ heel, conceding tries that they wouldn’t have in previous years. In the past three matches they’ve conceded only seven, including just one against the Broncos. Their attack also looked more settled at Magic Round, while Nathan Cleary’s déjà vu try may be looked back upon come season’s end as the moment the Panthers returned to their best.
This will be the last chance for Penrith’s Origin hopefuls to press their claims for the opening match of the series in Brisbane in three weeks due to their round 12 bye. The Cowboys will get two chances, but won’t get a better chance than at home against the four-time premiers.
The Panthers hold the overall advantage in matches between the two clubs, winning 26 to the Cowboys’ 23 (from 49 games played) but have lost four of the past six. While two of those matches were heavily affected by Origin, with a third also seeing them rest many of the stars before the finals, nothing can be taken away from the Cowboys’ 22-18 win in round 5 this year.
Townsville is not a happy hunting ground for the Panthers, who have lost nine of their past 12 matches in the city across both QCB and 1300Smiles Stadiums.
With the Panthers getting close to full strength and starting to find form, the Cowboys could find the going tough despite the home ground advantage.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Panthers by 6 points.
Check out our round 10 predictions here.
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