Cowboys vs Bulldogs NRL Sunday betting tips – Round 1, 2022

The final game for round one of the 2022 NRL Premiership is the battle between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.

These two clubs are at very different points of a roster rebuild. The Cowboys are bringing through young talent with experience around them, while the Bulldogs have made a host of star signings with the hope of building the club back to its glory days. Having gone head-to-head 36 times in total, the Bulldogs have been victors on 19 occasions. However, in the last two meetings, the Cowboys have won by a total of 20 points.

Both backlines of this side boast plenty of talent, but it’s clear to see the Cowboys backs have more stability and offensive power. With Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback, Valentine Holmes in the centres, and Peta Hiku and Kyle Feldt on the wing, North Queensland have strike on both edges. Bulldogs winger Jayden Okunbor made a string of defensive errors in pre-season trials, and the Cowboys will look to exploit that weakness, while Braidon Burns and Brent Naden were unwanted at their previous clubs, needing to show big improvement to prove their worth in the top grade.

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Both forward packs possess the ability to dominate one another, but each club faces different issues. Jack Hetherington and Tevita Pangai Jr aren’t strangers to the sideline for disciplinary reasons, while Luke Thompson has also spent time off the field. Curbing their aggression and channelling it into productive on-field performances will be their biggest challenges. Bulldogs captain Josh Jackson will need all the help he can get, and while Paul Vaughan should be in support, it’s hard to know what the other three forwards will produce.

The Cowboys, however unstable, show plenty of upside in the forwards. Jason Taumalolo moves back to the lock position following multiple injuries last season, and with young guns Heilum Luki and Jeremiah Nanai in the second row, this Cowboys pack could soar to new heights. Add in Reuben Cotter from the bench, who will be an absolute wrecking ball in the middle with Mitchell Dunn, and the Cowboys have a lot to look forward to.

Key matchup: Townsend vs Burton

The key to this contest is in the halves, albeit for very different reasons. Matt Burton was 2021 Dally M Centre of the Year, but he moves back to his preferred five-eighth position and will be relied on heavily for his attacking ability and experience as an NRL Grand Final winner. On the other side of the park, Chad Townsend was signed from the Cronulla Sharks to provide the direction North Queensland has lacked since the respective retirements of Johnathon Thurston and Michael Morgan. If Townsend can steer this Cowboys outfit to the right parts of the park, he could simply kick this side to victory.

Cowboys vs Bulldogs predictions & best bets

Should Chad Townsend be the high-calibre halfback he’s known to be, you can expect to see the Cowboys score through Kyle Feldt and Valentine Holmes at any time to the lead the North Queensland Cowboys to a win at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.

Cowboys vs Bulldogs same-game multi