Finally, an early Friday night game that means something! The Penrith Panthers have been close to perfect to start the 2022 NRL season, losing only one match so far and sitting 4 points clear of the Storm at the top of the table. This was somewhat expected, with how well this young team played last season, and the retention of much of their squad, most had the Panthers as solid chances of going back-to-back.
What most wouldn’t have had was the Cowboys sitting pretty in 3rd place after 11 rounds, fresh off a dominating display against the Melbourne Storm a week ago. Can they do it again this week? Let’s find out.
As always, stay tuned throughout the 2022 NRL season to get the best betting value when taking on the bookies, with our NRL Tips page previewing all the NRL matches in 2022.
Penrith Panthers vs North Queensland Cowboys
BlueBet Stadium, Friday 27th May, 6:00pm (AEST)
Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo. INTERCHANGE: 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon. RESERVES: 18. Robert Jennings 19. Chris Smith 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Sean O’Sullivan 22. Matt Eisenhuth 23. Soni Luke 24. Charlie Staines
North Queensland Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Coen Hess. INTERCHANGE: 14. Jake Granville 15. Heilum Luki 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Griffin Neame. RESERVES: 18. Taniela Sadrugu 19. Ben Hampton 20. Ben Condon 21. Connelly Lemuelu 22. Riley Price 23. Brendan Elliot 24. Brendan Frei
Match Preview
The surprise packets of season 2022, the Cowboys have the opportunity this week to firmly put themselves in the category of ‘Genuine Premiership Contender’. With a 36-6 drubbing of the Melbourne Storm last week, the Cowboys cemented their place inside the top 4, and with a win this week could be as high as second. Whilst their attack has been tremendous the last few weeks, having scored 30+ points 5 weeks in a row, it has been their defence this year that has really stood out. In almost all statistical categories in defence, the Cowboys are top 4 in the league, and often top 2. However, the team that sits above them in nearly all these categories is the team they face this weekend, the Penrith Panthers.
The Panthers have gone from strength to strength this season and appear on course to reach a third consecutive Grand Final. Their defence is by any metric the best in the league, and they appear to wear teams down with their superior fitness, allowing them to get on top late in the first half and to go on with the job in the second.
The Cowboys have two large omissions this week, with Jason Taumalolo (knee) out and winger Kyle Feldt (knee) set to miss around a month. No such issues for the Panthers, who seem to be able to run the same 17 out each week, which just adds to their momentum.
The market has increased their rating on the Cowboys several times over recent weeks, and with good cause. However, I believe the win over the Storm has pushed it a little hard, a little fast. With the number at 13.5 this week, this indicates the market has the Cowboys rated as highly as the Eels, which I don’t quite agree with. Yes, they’ve been tremendous this season, but I don’t quite rate them as highly as I rate the Eels and as such, I must side with the Panthers here.
The home field advantage at BlueBet is as good as anywhere in the NRL, and this should be enough for the Panthers to put the Cowboys back in their place. Panthers by 13+.
Alternate Bets:
Brian To'o Anytime Tryscorer ($1.95 at Ladbrokes)
Panthers 2nd Half Line -7.5 ($1.87 at Ladbrokes)
Panthers 13+
$1.79 (2 Units)
