A little bloke in headgear will play his final NRL match on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The one-and-only Johnathan Thurston won't feature in the finals in his last season in the game, but a win will at least see him bid farewell the NRL with back-to-back victories following last Friday's comfortable victory over Parramatta.
The Cowboys head into the match having avoided the wooden spoon. That's one positive to come out of the season. Another is the emergence of young half Jake Clifford.
As for the Titans, they'll be keen on honouring Thurston before and after the match but ensuring that trademark laugh is nowhere to be seen during the 80 minutes.
Match: Titans v Cowboys
Round 25 -
home Team
Titans
14th Position
away Team
Cowboys
13th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Key match up: Ash Taylor v Johnathan Thurston. It's been a mixed season for the Titans No.7. Some great outings have been mixed in with some indifferent performances. Taylor could learn a thing or two from the man he'll oppose on Saturday when it comes to mental focus and consistency.
For the Titans to win: Jarrod Wallace and Jai Arrow are Origin players and most judges think Ryan James deserves to be one. That trio needs to stand up to the Cowboys middle three – Taumalolo, Scott and McLean – if they want to finish the year with a win.
For the Cowboys to win: Get the ball to Kyle Feldt. The winger was back to his spectacular best in round 24, turning in a finishing display that should feature in post-season highlight reels. Cowboys fans will be hoping for more of the same against the Titans.
Titans Stat Attack: North Queensland's ball players need to watch out for Anthony Don when throwing long passes. The Titans winger leads the NRL in intercepts.
Cowboys Stat Attack: Matt Scott, Jordan McLean and Jason Taumalolo combined to run for a remarkable 602 metres against the Eels last weekend. Any teams that gets production like from their middle forwards is in for a good day.
And another thing: This match is officially sold out. A win would set the stage for the Titans' 2019 campaign.
Gold Coast Titans v North Queensland Cowboys, Saturday 5.30pm at Cbus Super Stadium
Match: Titans v Cowboys
Round 25 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ BrimsonFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Ben Hampton
-
Winger for Titans is number 2 Anthony DonWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Titans is number 3 Konrad HurrellCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Justin O'Neill
-
Centre for Titans is number 4 Brenko LeeCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Kane Linnett
-
Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip SamiWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Gideon Gela-Mosby
-
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kane ElgeyFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Te Maire Martin
-
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Ashley TaylorHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Johnathan Thurston
Forwards
-
Prop for Titans is number 8 Jarrod WallaceProp for Cowboys is number 8 Matthew Scott
-
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Nathan PeatsHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Jake Granville
-
Prop for Titans is number 10 Ryan JamesProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Gavin Cooper
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Keegan Hipgrave2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Coen Hess
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Jai ArrowLock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Mitch ReinInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Ethan Lowe
-
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Moeaki FotuaikaInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 John Asiata
-
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Jack StockwellInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Shaun Fensom
-
Interchange for Titans is number 18 Bryce CartwrightInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Scott Bolton
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Noyen
- Referee: Gavin Badger
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Titans: Coach Garth Brennan has made a late switch, moving Bryce Cartwright from the reserves to the bench in place of Will Matthews, who was cut an hour before kick-off with Brendan Elliot. Jai Whitbread and Leilani Latu were omitted on Friday afternoon.
Cowboys: The Cowboys will line up as named on Tuesday for Johnathan Thurston's final game. Te Maire Martin (ankle) returns at five-eighth in place of Jake Clifford. Shaun Fensom replaces Francis Molo on the bench. Clifford and Shane Wright were omitted an hour before kick-off, while Molo and Javid Bowen were omitted on Friday.
Head-to-head: Played 20; Cowboys 12 wins, Titans 8 wins
Previous result: Cowboys won 26-14 in Townsville in round 7
Points per game: Titans 19.4; Cowboys 18.2
Points conceded per game: Titans 24; Cowboys 21.5
Televised: Live on Fox League
Petero Civoniceva's prediction: This should be a sensational night for Johnathan Thurston and the fans who pack into Cbus Super Stadium are in for a treat. All the sentiment will be with the Cowboys and JT's team-mates can be expected to aim up again just as they did against the Eels last week. The Titans were brave last week and they have some
Tip: Cowboys by 12
