NRL Round 4 Preview - Cowboys v Panthers @ 1300 Smiles Stadium

North Queensland Cowboys v Penrith Panthers @ 1300 Smiles Stadium
 
Preview - The Cowboys will be looking to halt a 2-game losing streak when they take on the Panthers at 1300 Smiles Stadium on Thursday night. One of the three favourites to win the Premiership at the start of the season, the Cowboys suffered a disappointing 30-14 loss to the Storm in the Grand Final replay in Melbourne last week. The Panthers suffered their first loss of the season falling 20-18 to the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, despite mounting another comeback from 14-0 for the third straight week. 
 
North Queensland Cowboys’ Scouting Report - Paul Green has stayed solid with the side despite hammering them in press conference after the loss to the Storm last week.  There could be a late change, with Lachlan Coote named in the reserves which could mean he is a late inclusion at full back for Ben Hampton. Coen Hess has again been named to start ahead of Ethan Lowe in the back-row after his barnstorming performance last week. 
 
Penrith Panthers’ Scouting Report - A major blow for Penrith with Nathan Cleary out for up to ten weeks with a knee injury. Tyrone Peachey moves into the halves to partner James Maloney, who you assume will assume most of the organising duties in Cleary’s absence. However, coach Anthony Griffin has kept his options open by naming young half Jarome Luai (bench) and hooking sensation Wayde Egan (extended bench).James Tamou and Viliame Kikau have again been named to start after coming off the interchange last week.
 
Verdict - Cowboys 1-12.  The Cowboys have not convinced me at all this year, however they get the Panthers at a good time here. The Panthers will be backing up from a 6-day turnaround, and without their best player and star halfback Nathan Cleary. The Panthers have not convinced me in any of their three performances so far this year, despite having won two games they could easily be 0-3. The Cowboys will be stinging after a heavy rebuke from Coach Paul Green about turning words into actions, after a poor performance against the Storm last week. I think, at home, the Cowboys will win this game, however I'm not convinced they are the team many people thought they would be coming into 2018.