NRL Round 2 - Broncos v Cowboys @ Suncorp Stadium

Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys @ Suncorp Stadium
 
Preview - It's a Queensland derby blockbuster in Round 2, as the Broncos host the Cowboys on Friday Night Football at Suncorp Stadium. In what is sure to be close to a sell-out crowd, the Broncos will be desperate to rebound from their embarrassing Round 1 performance, whilst the Cowboys aim for back-to-back victories to start 2018. The Broncos were particularly awful against the Dragons at Jubilee Stadium, going down 34-12, giving up a number of soft tries and looking clunky in attack. The Cowboys managed to grind out a 20-14 victory at home over the Sharks in Johnathan Thurston’s 300th game and return from a serious shoulder injury. 
 
History - The history between the teams is one of classic and gripping contests, with 5 games going into extra time over the past couple of years. Despite these sides playing in a number of classics, it is often the Cowboys that have had the better of the Broncos for the last few clashes. However, Brisbane won the most recent contest 20-10 in Round 26 at 1300 Smiles Stadium. Earlier in 2017, Johnathan Thurston’s field goal in Golden Point was enough to break the Broncos’ hearts once again. Of course, the most memorable encounter of all the classics was the Cowboys 15-14 victory over the Broncos in Golden Point of the 2015 Grand Final. 
 
Brisbane Broncos’ Scouting Report - The Broncos get a significant boost with Andrew McCullough returning to the starting side at hooker, after they looked disorganised in the early exchanges last week.  Tom Opacic replaces the suspended Jaydn Su’a on the interchange. All eyes will be on both Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima in the halves, up against a general in Johnathan Thurston after underwhelming as a combination last week. 
 
North Queensland Cowboys’ Scouting Report - The Cowboys have named an unchanged 17 to the one that got the job done against the Sharks. Michael Morgan (abdominal) has missed the Top 17, but remains some chance of returning after being included in the reserves. Lachlan Coote is still not fit to return from a hamstring injury. 
 
Verdict - Broncos by 1-6
 
I see the Broncos bouncing back from their horror show against the Dragons here, and putting in a far better and more aggressive performance. I just think Bennett can produce an ambush against a Cowboys’ side that most people expect to win this game comfortably. Traditionally these games go down to the wire, so I’m not reading too much into the fact the Cowboys have a stronger side on paper. It’s a local derby, and the Broncos are coming off a heavy loss, and that is enough for me to think they might turn it around and get the job done here in another thriller.