Brisbane Broncos v North QLD Cowboys NRL tips & preview | 21/3/25

Broncos v Cowboys NRL R3 best bets

NRL Round 3: Broncos vs Cowboys betting preview

The Brisbane Broncos face the North Queensland Cowboys in a derby clash at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, and NRL bookmakers are forecasting a lopsided encounter.

The Broncos are looking to bounce back after a 32-22 loss to the Raiders in Round 2.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys have endured a horror start to the season, sitting 16th on the ladder with a -54 point differential after two heavy defeats.

Brisbane have dominated this fixture, winning their last six meetings against the Cowboys — including a 26-16 victory in Round 23 last season.

The Cowboys last beat the Broncos in 2022, but recent form suggests another tough night for the visitors, with rugby league betting sites having them as $5.60 underdogs.

The Broncos boast one of the NRL’s most dangerous attacking units, averaging 36 points per game in 2025, while the Cowboys have been leaking points at an alarming rate, conceding 36 or more points in both rounds.

Given Brisbane’s firepower and the Cowboys’ defensive struggles, expect a high-scoring contest with the Broncos running up a big total, with the top NRL betting bookmakers having the line set at -17.5.

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Broncos vs Cowboys Round 3 team news

Brisbane Broncos

1. Reece Walsh
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Deine Mariner
4. Gehamat Shibasaki
5. Jesse Arthars
6. Ben Hunt
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Patrick Carrigan
9. Cory Paix
10. Payne Haas
11. Jack Gosiewski
12. Jordan Riki
13. Kobe Hetherington
14. Billy Walters
15. Corey Jensen
16. Xavier Willison
17. Brendan Piakura

The Broncos stick with the same 17 that lost to Canberra, though Kotoni Staggs is named in the reserves and could be a late inclusion.

North Queensland Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Robert Derby
3. Jaxon Purdue
4. Viliami Vailea
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Tom Dearden
7. Jake Clifford
8. Jordan McLean
9. Reece Robson
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. John Bateman
12. Kai O’Donnell
13. Reuben Cotter
14. Sam McIntyre
15. Jeremiah Nanai
16. Griffin Neame
17. Coen Hess

For the Cowboys, Jason Taumalolo returns in the front row, providing much-needed experience, while Jake Clifford replaces Tom Duffy in the halves. Robert Derby comes in for the injured Braidon Burns, and Jeremiah Nanai earns a recall on the bench.

Broncos vs Cowboys Rd 3 betting tips

The Broncos have won their last six games against the Cowboys, with four of those victories coming by 18 or more points. Brisbane’s attack has been electric, and against a Cowboys defence that has conceded 72 points in two games, the home side should run riot. Brisbane have covered the spread in 12 of their last 14 games against North Queensland, making the -17.5 line a strong play at $1.90 with BetOnline.

Brisbane’s Payne Haas has been one of the most dominant forwards in the NRL, consistently bending defensive lines and creating second-phase play. While he isn’t a prolific try-scorer, his power close to the line makes him a great value bet at +525 with BetOnline. Against a Cowboys pack that has struggled to hold the middle, Haas is a prime candidate to crash over for his first try of the season.

Brisbane’s attack has been red-hot, while the Cowboys’ defence has been dismal. Seven of the last nine meetings between these sides have gone over 51.5 points, and with both teams possessing attacking threats across the park, expect this one to go over on total points at $1.90 with BetOnline.

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