RD 15: Bulldogs vs Cowboys

[Titanium_BD1103]

Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys
Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast, Sunday 18th June, 3:00pm

Referee: Shayne Hayne

Team changes:

Bulldogs

- Willie Mason, Mark O'Meley, Andrew Ryan and Nate Myles return from Origin duty.

- Ben Czislowski, Brad Morrin, Billy Ngawini and Nick Kouparitsas move to Premier League.

- Chris Armit moves to the bench.

- Corey Hughes is out for three weeks with a hamstring injury.

- Tony Grimaldi moves from second row to starting hooker.

- Daniel Irvine comes onto the bench for the Bulldogs.



North Queensland Cowboys

- Carl Webb and Johnathan Thurston return from SOO Duty

- Mitchell Sargent and Brett Firman return to a 5 man bench



BULLDOGS

1. Luke Patten
2. Hazem El Masri
3. Sonny Bill Williams
4. Cameron Phelps
5. Matt Utai
6. Daniel Holdsworth
7. Brent Sherwin
8. Mark O'Meley
9. Tony Grimaldi
10. Roy Asotasi
11. Willie Mason
12. Andrew Ryan (c)
13. Reni Maitua

Interchange:

14. Daniel Irvine
15. Nate Myles
16. Chris Armit
17. Dallas McIlwain



NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

1. Matt Bowen
2. Brenton Bowen
3. Josh Hannay
4. Paul Bowman
5. Matt Sing
6. Shane Muspratt
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Shane Tronc
9. Aaron Payne
10. Carl Webb
11. Justin Smith
12. Jacob Lillyman
13. Travis Norton (c)

Interchange:

14. Rod Jensen
15. David Faiumu
16. Matthew Scott
17. Mitchell Sargent
18. Brett Firman

(One to be Omitted)

*Please use this thread for Spoilers*

[MonaroMan]

Bulldogs will win for sure, they play well when they have a full strength team and someone from another forum told me that they play better when they have a few players returning from origin duties.

Cowboys are also getting too ****y and over-confident and therefore losing matches obviously

[Titanium_BD1103]

WOW no one has posted the North Queensland team yet... oh well I'll do it now.. was too busy watching World Cup show last night to do it...

Yes it is a good NQ side though as you will see once posted up... they need a change in attitude but the return of their coach will help... should be a close and good match... but Bulldogs to do it IMO..

[BRONCOS FAN]

I hope the Cowboys get the win because their another Qld team so go boys...

[[BroncosGirl]]

This is the week the Cowboys really need to show some game, they need to step up, they really need a win to keep their campaign going.

Bulldogs are going pretty well, coming off a heartbreaking loss though, they came so close. They'll certainly be fired up as well since its like another mini origin

[Flanker/5-8]

Why does Murray hate Brett Firman so much? Thurston's a natural five-eighth - he runs like one, attacks like one, steps like one, passes like one, kicks like one, talks like one, walks like one, sleeps like one, paints bricks like one, eats sandwiches like one.

And Firman is a good halfback.

The Cowboys' season is falling apart, and after the shock loss to the Raiders the Doggies will be fired up. If the lads from north of the border play their best, we won't be able to match them. But I don't think they will, 'cause they're not gelling like they did at the start of the season.

Dogs by 12

[Titanium_BD1103]

Thurston is carrying a corked thigh and Murray doesn't want to take any chances..

There is an article today that says that the Cowboys are thinking of doing a Queensland against the Dogs to stiffle Mason and O'Meley.

One word of advice on that.. it may work against NSW and it may work against O'Meley and Mason... but remember there is still Asotasi, Ryan, Grimaldi, Myles and Maitua to deal with... and it doesn't work on them... if they are on their game, they will use it to counter and like against Newcastle, the results could be quite ugly..

[Cowboys_Rabbit_Fan]

Why does Murray hate Brett Firman so much? Thurston's a natural five-eighth - he runs like one, attacks like one, steps like one, passes like one, kicks like one, talks like one, walks like one, sleeps like one, paints bricks like one, eats sandwiches like one.

And Firman is a good halfback.

The Cowboys' season is falling apart, and after the shock loss to the Raiders the Doggies will be fired up. If the lads from north of the border play their best, we won't be able to match them. But I don't think they will, 'cause they're not gelling like they did at the start of the season.

Dogs by 12

Firman is not a good Halfback, he makes shocking plays, makes too many mistakes and probably would just slow Thurston, Bowen and Sing's combination down.

I seriously hope that the Cowboys win and my tip goes to them as i'm loyal, but I have a pretty big doubt.

If Graham Murray was smart (Which he is, but kind of blind) he would give Aaron Payne a go at halfback again, as that's where he used to play when he was in the reserve grade, move David Faiumu to starting Hooker and Clint Amos onto the bench. It's worth a try.

[DeeGan]

The job just got a little harder for the Doggies - Mark O'Meley ruled out with a groin injury.

[Cowboys_Rabbit_Fan]

It will be easy for them if Thurston ends up ruled out, with O'Meley or without.

[DeeGan]

Johnathan Thurston is expected to play.

[RIP]

Cowboys will win If they keep firman off the field & slow down the ball movement to Sonny, mark, Willie & El Masri. & Will the TITANS reveal something today, ( Like a possible signing to Tonga! ). Just an idea but I'll be watching the pre game entertainment.

[Titanium_BD1103]

*SPOILER*

Well I have just listened to 2GB on the game... after listening to Melbourne..

Highlight to Read:

Well the Bulldogs have just scored, this game seems to be close from the word of the score...

20-12 Bulldogs over North Queensland: Matt Bowen has just made a mistake and lost the ball... it was close..


BAD NEWS: Sonny Bill Williams has another injury... with the knee...

[DeeGan]

Any more details on the knee injury as yet? Is it ligament damage or too early to tell at the moment?

[Titanium_BD1103]

Have no idea.. all I know from the 2GB broadcast he won't allow Hugh Hazzard put ice on it... it is on the same right knee though...

Matt Bowen is down ATM with a knee problem now...

Oh and for a little bit more... Cowboys are the stronger side in the game.. they have had many opportunities but they keep dropping the ball...