Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 2 NRL game between Nth Queensland Cowboys and St George Illawarra Dragons. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with Nth Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Nth Queensland Cowboys vs. St George Illawarra Dragons game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday March 20, 2021 at 7:35 pm
Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Nth Queensland Cowboys vs St George Illawarra Dragons Odds
Nth Queensland Cowboys vs St George Illawarra Dragons Preview
No side disappointed more in Round 1 than the North Queensland Cowboys. Coach Todd Payten couldn’t disguise his frustrations as he gave an honest assessment of his team – Jason Taumalolo, in particular. Whatever Payten had drilled into his players throughout the summer didn’t show on the field as the Panthers barely lifted a finger to take the chocolates with a 24-0 win.
Remarkably, the St. George Illawarra Dragons (on the second line of betting to win the wooden spoon at $3.75) gave a better account of themselves, albeit not across the full 80 minutes. Dire to start the match, Red V fans could have been forgiven for switching it off and getting to bed early on Sunday night. A mini-comeback made the eventual 32-18 loss easier to stomach. They even threatened to take the lead at one point before having a try waved away. If you look hard enough, there are a handful of positives that can be taken out of the weekend.
However, putting these two into the primetime Saturday night slot isn’t a positive for footy fans. Improvements or not, both of these teams have a lot of work to do if they’re to sniff the Top 8 in 2021. It will start in the middle if they do. For that reason: Advantage, Cowboys.
Taumalolo struggled through Round 1 and copped a spray from his coach. Who is going to now stand in front of him for his first carry on Saturday night? Taumalolo is the best forward in rugby league and can dominate this Dragons pack on his own. If he turns up with a point to prove, North Queensland will register their first win of the season.
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Nth Queensland Cowboys vs St George Illawarra Dragons Tip
We're tipping St George Illawarra Dragons to win at $2.35 odds.
Nth Queensland Cowboys vs St George Illawarra Dragons Teams
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Esan Marsters 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Michael Morgan 7. Jake Clifford 8. Francis Molo 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Mitchell Dunn 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Josh Mcguire 16. Corey Jensen 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Lachlan Burr 19. Shane Wright 20. Murray Taulagi 21. Ben Hampton
Dragons team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Cody Ramsey 3. Jack Bird 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Kerr 12. Tariq Sims 13. Tyrell Fuimaono 14. Poasa Faamausili 15. Trent Merrin 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Brayden Wiliame 18. Adam Clune 19. Kaide Ellis 20. Jackson Ford 21. Jordan Pereira