Free tips & best bets for Broncos vs. Cowboys on NRL Friday

WHERE are the Brisbane Broncos at?

That is the big question after their second-half capitulation against the St George Illawarra Dragons in round one.

Online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au has already wound out the Queensland club from +1100 to +1600 in the outright betting.

The decision to start Sam Thaiday at hooker backfired in a big way, so it is no surprise to see Andrew McCullough step up from the interchange bench this week.

Thaiday moves to the bench alongside Tom Opacic, who replaces the suspended Jayden Su’a.

The North Queensland Cowboys have made no changes to the side that beat the Cronulla Sharks first up.

Te Maire Martin keeps his place at five-eighth, with Michael Morgan named in the reserves as he works back from injury.

The Cowboys are the best-backed team in Sportsbet’s premiership market and now stand alone on the top line after the Sydney Roosters’ shock loss to Wests Tigers.

Broncos vs. Cowboys players to watch

Anthony Milford – The Broncos halves have come in for severe criticism over their performance in round one. Much of that heat has been aimed at Milford, who has vowed to take the game on early with more running.

Coen Hess – Is there a better interchange player in the NRL right now? Hess is as big an attacking threat as any man on the North Queensland roster, as he showed last week when he opened his account against the Sharks.

Kyle Feldt first tryscorer odds

Odds courtesy of WilliamHill.com.au

• First tryscorer – +1200
• Two or more tries – +900
• To score a try – +125

Feldt was one of the three Cowboys to find the line in the first half against the Sharks. The North Queensland No.2 came home strong last year and enjoyed a fruitful pre-season, so we are backing him again this week.

Broncos vs. Cowboys team lists

Brisbane Broncos
1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Tevita Pangai Jnr, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Matt Gillett, 13 Josh McGuire.

Interchange: 14 Sam Thaiday, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Tom Opacic.

North Queensland Cowboys
1 Ben Hampton, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Justin O’Neill, 4 Javid Bowen, 5 Antonio Winterstein, 6 Te Maire Martin, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 Matthew Scott (c), 9 Jake Granville, 10 Jordan McLean, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Ethan Lowe, 13 Jason Taumalolo.

Interchange: 14 John Asiata, 15 Coen Hess, 16 Scott Bolton, 18 Corey Jensen.

Who wins – Broncos or Cowboys?

How can you back the Broncos after last week’s effort? McCullough in for Thaiday will make a difference, but there is plenty more that needs to change. The Cowboys come in off a good, tough win and should go 2-0.

Top tip: Cowboys half-time/Cowboys full-time (+110 at Ladbrokes)
 

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