Dolphins v Cowboys NRL betting tips & predictions | Round 1

March 8, 2024 11:16 am.by Jack Hudson

Dolphins v Cowboys NRL tips


Dolphins vs North Queensland Cowboys NRL Betting Odds & Game Info
Best odds	Dolphins +160 at Bet365 \| Cowboys -200 at Neds
When	Sunday, March 10 \| 3:05pm AEST
Where	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Last time they met	Dolphins 10–30 Cowboys (Rd 26, 2023)
Watch live	Nine, Fox Sports, Kayo

Dolphins v Cowboys best bets

North Queensland Cowboys to win

-200
@
Neds

Jamayne Isaako anytime tryscorer

+115
@
PlayUp

Scott Drinkwater anytime tryscorer

+185
@
Bet365

Dolphins v Cowboys match preview

The Dolphins will host the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday with hopes of pulling off another unlikely victory in their first match of the NRL season, as they did last year against the Roosters.

The Dolphins have named centre Herbie Farnworth to start despite picking up a knee injury last week at training. Tesi Niu’s move to the centres will push Jack Bostock to the wing, Kodi Nikorima will play five-eighth, Thomas Flegler will make his debut for the Dolphins in the front row, and Ray Stone will start at lock in place of the injured Tom Gilbert.

The Cowboys have named veteran winger Kyle Feldt to start ahead of Semi Valemei, Zac Laybutt will line up at centre after the departure of Peta Hiku in the off-season, and Heilum Luki will start in the back row after Luciano Leilua was released from his contract. With Coen Hess out for the season, Jason Taumalolo starts at prop and Sam McIntyre fills out the bench.

Dolphins v Cowboys team lists

Dolphins

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Jamayne Isaako
Tesi Niu
Herbie Farnworth
Jack Bostock
Kodi Nikorima
Sean O’Sullivan
Jesse Bromwich
Jeremy Marshall-King
Thomas Flegler
Felise Kaufusi
Connelly Lemuelu
Ray Stone
Josh Kerr
Max Plath
Kenneath Bromwich
Mark Nicholls

North Queensland Cowboys

Scott Drinkwater
Kyle Feldt
Valentine Holmes
Zac Laybutt
Murray Taulagi
Tom Dearden
Chad Townsend
Jordan McLean
Reece Robson
Jason Taumalolo
Heilum Luki
Jeremiah Nanai
Reuben Cotter
Jake Granville
Griffin Neame
Sam McIntyre
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Dolphins v Cowboys betting predictions

The last time these two sides met was at Suncorp Stadium, where the Cowboys piled on 24 first-half points to sink the Dolphins’ hopes of victory early. The home side finished the 2023 season losing six of its last seven matches, and with new signings Farnworth and Flegler at the club, there will still be improvement to come in the team’s on-field cohesion. The -200 at BetOnline is a great price for the Cowboys to begin their season with a win in Brisbane.

Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako was the leading point-scorer and second-highest try-scorer in the NRL in 2023. He finished the year by scoring at least one try in each of the Dolphins’ last six matches, including a double against the Cowboys in his last outing. The +115 on offer is great value for Isaako to score a try at any time.

Scott Drinkwater’s ability to score points from fullback in 2023 elevated him into New South Wales’ State of Origin squad. He then went on to score at least one try in six of the Cowboys’ last eight matches as favourites in the season. The +180 for Drinkwater to score a try at any time is another great value bet.