NRL Round 10 Preview and Prediction - Canterbury Bulldogs v North Queensland Cowboys @ ANZ Stadium

Canterbury Bulldogs v North Queensland Cowboys @ ANZ Stadium
 
Preview - The Bulldogs will be looking to take advantage of an understrength Cowboys’ outfit when they clash at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Thursday night. After dropping 3 of their opening 4 games, the Bulldogs have hit back with a vengeance, winning 4 of their past 5 matches. In their last game they managed to grind out an upset 18-12 victory over the more fancied Raiders in another tough and uncompromising display. The Cowboys’ season appears headed in the opposite direction having lost 3 of their past 4, including a last start 26-6 defeat to Parramatta. The Cowboys have struggled to get their attack into gear this year, averaging just 18 points per game, as they have had to deal with a number of injuries to senior players. 
 
History - The Cowboys have been dominant over the Bulldogs in recent years winning all 5 encounters. Last season they swept them, winning 36-0 in Townsville before a gritty 24-16 victory at Belmore in Round 25. Before that 5-game winning streak, the Bulldogs held a dominant record of 21 wins to only 9 losses against the Cowboys. 
 
Canterbury Bulldogs’ Scouting Report - With Josh Reynolds out for the next 5 weeks with a hamstring injury, Matt Frawley gets the chance to start with Moses Mbye in the halves. It will be interesting to see if that dynamic duo can pull out some victories, which might put pressure on Reynolds’ starting position when he returns. Adam Elliott had a big game against the Raiders and is emerging as a back rower of potential for the Bulldogs. 
 
North Queensland Cowboys’ Scouting Report - The Cowboys will once again be missing Captain and halfback Johnathan Thurston who injured his shoulder in Australia’s win over the Kiwis. However, they do get a much needed injection of experience and class with fullback Lachlan Coote and hooker Jake Granville due to return. 
 
Verdict - Bulldogs 1-8 in a low scoring game
 
The Bulldogs have been pretty solid at home this season and I think, without Johnathan Thurston, they should be able to strangle the Cowboys into an arm wrestle which suits them. The Cowboys are only averaging 18 points per game this year and, without Thurston, I see their attack continuing to struggle for direction against a Canterbury defence that is hard to break down. The likes of Coote, Granville and Morgan have been below their best this season and they really need to find a spark for the Cowboys to have any chance of winning this game.  The Dogs are never going to blow a side away, so I think this game will be close throughout, however I think they can get on top in the forwards and grind out another low scoring win here to establish themselves further into the Top 8.