Matchday Details
Sunday, August 17 – 4:05 pm (AEST) – Queensland Country Bank Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Jarrod Cole | Bunker: Grant Atkins
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kai O’Donnell 17. Thomas Mikaele
Knights
1. Connor Votano 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones
Match Preview
It is too late for the Cowboys and Knights to make a run for the top eight, so these final games of the 2025 season are for pride and building for next season.
Both of these teams have performed below expectations for this season, which has placed both Adam O’Brien and Todd Payten under pressure to retain their jobs in the off-season. Both coaches have tinkered with their line-ups at different times this season, either through necessity or not, but they failed to find a formula that helped them win.
Last week was one of the Cowboys’ better performances, but they couldn’t overcome the Eels. If they keep playing like that, they will finish the season on a high. Jordan McLean returns from a calf injury. Coen Hess will miss the rest of the season through suspension. Karl Lawton is back after a two-game suspension. Thomas Mikaele returns from a knee injury, while Harrison Edwards returns from an infection. Marly Bitugane, Kaiden Lahrs, and Nicholas Lenaz move to the reserves.
The Knights couldn’t do much last week as they played a red-hot Panthers. This week is their chance to turn things around. Connor Votano will make his debut at fullback. Dane Gaigai moves to the centres, and Fletcher Hunt drops to the reserves. Tyson Frizell has been named at lock with Phoenix Crossland out due to a head knock. Brodie Jones and Matt Arthur have been named on the bench.
The clash of these two forward packs is worth the price of admission. Both teams have seasoned, capable forwards who know how to get their teams’ crucial metres when needed. While Hess, who has been the Cowboys’ best forward, is a big out, having Jason Taumalolo come through last week unscathed was a bonus for the Cowboys. No doubt he will have a significant impact on the game. Jermaine McEwen has been playing well for the Knights this season. Going up against representative players such as Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai will be a good test for him.
The halves battle is an interesting one. You have two of the most experienced players in Tom Dearden and Jake Clifford, going up against Jack Cogger and Jakob Arthur. Dearden and Clifford are way more experienced, and the early indication is that they will get the Cowboys home. Cogger and Arthur didn’t get much of a chance against Cleary and Talagi, especially with the Knights having 11 incomplete sets to the Panthers’ six. If the Knights can complete their sets this week, it might give the halves a chance to show what they can do.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Cowboys by 12.
See our full Round 24 Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 24 Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
Related Links
- Round 24 Late Mail
- 2025 NRL Round 23 Injury List
