The Broncos and Cowboys might have been on the losers list last round but they arrive at Suncorp Stadium this week with their chests puffed out slightly after pushing the top two sides to the brink.
The Broncos only stumbled near the end against the Panthers 18-12, while the Cowboys hounded the Storm before slipping to a 20-16 loss.
While both the Broncos and Cowboys have the unflattering statistic of conceding 30 points a game in 2021, which has anchored them near the bottom of the table, that will mean little on Friday night.
Not only is pride on the line in this Queensland derby, both sides just want to win as many games as they can in the final six rounds to give another unusual COVID-affected season a feel-good end.
Match: Broncos v Cowboys
Round 20 -
home Team
Broncos
15th Position
away Team
Cowboys
14th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The rundown
Team news
Broncos: Teenage forward Xavier Willison has been promoted to the bench and will make his NRL debut on Friday with TC Robati dropping to 18th man.
“I feel it's the right opportunity for Xavier to make his debut for the Broncos,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said on Thursday.
“He's been training really well, he's keen, he's a big young thing, so looking forward to seeing him get his first opportunity at NRL level.”
Rhys Kennedy has a minor back problem and failed to finish training on Thursday but will play.
Jake Turpin has been named at hooker despite breaking his thumb against the Panthers last week and will need to tick some boxes to play.
Danny Levi is on the bench as back-up for Turpin.
Albert Kelly and Xavier Coates were omitted from the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Jesse Arthars was cut an hour before kick-off.
The Broncos have won seven of their past nine games against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium.
Cowboys: The Cowboys are 1-17 with no late changes.
Ben Hampton will play after he was held back from a return last week.
Coach Todd Payten has stuck with the same starting 13 that pushed Melbourne all the way last start.
Peter Hola and Ben Condon were the first two players cut from the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Lachlan Burr was the last man cut an hour before kick-off and Daejarn Asi is 18th man.
Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Match: Broncos v Cowboys
Round 20 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi NiuFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Jake Granville
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Murray Taulagi
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Connelly Lemuelu
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jamayne IsaakoWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Kane Bradley
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Tyson GambleFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott Drinkwater
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Brodie CroftHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Keenan PalasiaProp for Cowboys is number 8 Francis Molo
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake TurpinHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Shane Wright
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Mitchell Dunn
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe HetheringtonLock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Danny LeviInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Tom Gilbert
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Rhys KennedyInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Heilum Luki
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Coen Hess
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Xavier WillisonInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Ben Hampton
Reserves
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 17 Teui RobatiReserve for Cowboys is number 19 Daejarn Asi
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Key match-up
Tyson Gamble v Scott Drinkwater: The two five-eighths bring contrasting styles to this head-to-head battle. Gamble is more aggressive while Drinkwater is all finesse.
But both have tremendous kicking games. And they have good lateral vision with Gamble racking up four try assists and five line-break assists to Drinkwater's 15 try assists.
Stat attack
Don't forget that since a field goal separated these two in the 2015 Grand Final, there have been four games in the next 12 decided by just one point; three by four points or less. These two Queensland sides brings out the best in each other.
Head to and get pickin’ to win a share of $100,000 cash every week!
