NRL Round 16 Preview and Prediction - North Queensland Cowboys v Penrith Panthers @ 1300 Smiles Stadium

North Queensland Cowboys v Penrith Panthers @ 1300 Smiles Stadium

Preview - We get a rare daytime game at 1300 Smiles Stadium in Townsville as the Cowboys host the Panthers in a crucial match-up of two teams sitting in 7th and 8th spots respectively. The Cowboys will be looking to bounce back from their heartbreaking 23-22 Golden Point loss to Melbourne in what was one of the games of the season last week, despite both Clubs missing a host of players through Origin duty. The Panthers are on a roll having won 4 straight, after they got out of jail 2 weeks ago at Bathurst against the Raiders, scoring 2 tries in the final 2 minutes to win 24-20 in a game they look dead and buried in. The Panthers are now back in the Top 8 for the first time since Round 2 and will be looking to build their momentum into the second half of the season.

History -  The Cowboys have dominated the Panthers with 6 of their last 7 games against the Panthers, including the last time they met back in Round 6 of 2016. Overall, however, it's the Panthers who hold the advantage having won 18 from 34 against the Cowboys overall.

North Queensland Cowboys' Scouting Report - The Cowboys have suffered a monumental blow to their premiership aspirations with Captain Johnathan Thurston ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury. Paul Green has named his other 3 Origin players in Michael Morgan, Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess to back up just 3 days later for this crucial game for the Cowboys. Despite largely impressing in his debut game last week, Kyle Laybutt will make his second First Grade appearance in the halves while talented fullback Kayln Ponga looks set to miss out once again. 

Penrith Panthers' Scouting Report - The Panthers are unchanged from the side that got out of jail against the Raiders two weeks ago, with both James Fisher-Harris and Peter Wallace not yet fit to return from injury. Dylan Walker has been sensational at the back since coming into the starting side 2 weeks ago, and looks to be Penrith's long term fullback. Equally impressive has been the move of captain Matt Moylan to five eight, with Moylan setting up the final 2 tries last week to take his side to an amazing victory with those 2 tries coming in the final two minutes against a shellshocked Raiders' team.

Verdict - Panthers by 4-12 in a high scoring game

 This has the potential to be an outstanding game if both of these sides run out at close to full strength. The daytime game in Townsville is unusual, so I have to give the Cowboys the edge in that regard given they train up there in the heat all year long. However, with Thurston out, it just looks to be like Penrith have more strike power across the paddock, and given the fact they  are riding a 4-game winning run, I think they can get another win on the road here. I am expecting this game to be very high scoring with a fast and open surface suiting two sides that like to attack and throw the ball around. I think both teams can score 4 tries in this game, however I fancy the Panthers to keep the roll going.