Wests Tigers will look to continue their end-of-season resurgence when they take on a desperate North Queensland Cowboys this Friday night at Campbelltown.
After producing the biggest comeback in over seven years to down the Sea Eagles, Ivan Cleary’s side went within a whisker of producing an even bigger upset against the high-flying Sydney Roosters — going down 22-18 in tough conditions at Allianz Stadium.
Since their last appearance at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in Round 16, Wests Tigers have won three of their last seven games and have gone exceptionally close to winning all four other games. In their last seven games (five of which have been against top eight sides), Wests Tigers have either been winning or within four points with 10 minutes to go and will again be out to play their best football this Friday night against the Cowboys.
Yet to win at the local ground this season, the signs are certainly good for Wests Tigers, with the Cowboys winning just once against Wests Tigers in Sydney since 2004.
They’ve also already triumphed over the Cowboys this year (winning in Cleary’s first game in charge back in Round 6), and will celebrate two milestones on the night with Bayley Sironen making his first-grade debut and Sauaso Sue playing his 100th game.
Despite losing four games in a row, Paul Green’s side incredibly still remain inside the top eight, but will likely need to win one of their last two games to make the finals — either Friday’s clash against Wests Tigers or the following week against the Broncos.
Almost on the other side of their well-documented injury crisis, the Cowboys will welcome back Antonio Winterstein on the wing in place of Kayln Ponga, while further changes could be on the cards with Lachlan Coote and Gavin Cooper named as reserves.
Be there for our final Campbelltown game of season 2017 as we take on the North Queensland Cowboys on August 25!
MATCH DETAILS
Date — Friday, August 25, 2017
Time — 7:50pm AEST
Venue — Campbelltown Sports Stadium
TV, LIVE STREAM AND RADIO INFORMATION
TV — Live via Fox League (Ch.502) and Channel 9
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand and ABC 2GB 873
Live Stream — Live via Foxtel Go, NRL Digital Pass (subscription required)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referees — Ben Cummins and Chris Sutton
Touch Judges — Kasey Badger and Brett Suttor
Video Referees — Luke Patten and Bernard Sutton
LATEST CROWNBET ODDS
Head-to-Head — Wests Tigers ($1.92), North Queensland ($1.92)
Line — Wests Tigers +0.5 ($1.91), North Queensland -0.5 ($1.93)
Latest odds via CrownBet.com.au (18+ only, gamble responsibly)
Odds correct as of Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 5:00pm
TEAM NEWS
Wests Tigers
Elijah Taylor (shoulder) is out, replaced in the back row by Michael Chee Kam, while Matt McIlwrick returns at hooker. Bayley Sironen has been named to make his NRL debut, while Jack Littlejohn starts in the halves in place of Luke Brooks, who is out with a hamstring injury.
North Queensland Cowboys
Antonio Winterstein returns on the wing in place of Kayln Ponga (arm), while Shaun Fensom also returns from injury on the bench. Rookie Enari Tuala is out while Gavin Cooper and Lachlan Coote may also both return after being named in the reserves.
Team Lists Update
4:00pm, Tuesday — 21-man squads announced — Click here
7:50pm, Thursday — 19-man squads announced — Click here
6:50pm, Friday — Final 17-man team lists announced
RECENT RESULTS
Wests Tigers
Round 20 — Parramatta Eels 17 def. Wests Tigers 16
Round 21 — Wests Tigers 26 def. Gold Coast Titans 4
Round 22 — Penrith Panthers 28 def. Wests Tigers 14
Round 23 — Wests Tigers 30 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 26
Round 24 — Sydney Roosters 22 def. Wests Tigers 18
North Queensland Cowboys
Round 20 — North Queensland Cowboys 24 def. New Zealand Warriors 12
Round 21 — Sydney Roosters 22 def. North Queensland Cowboys 16
Round 22 — Melbourne Storm 26 def. North Queensland Cowboys 8
Round 23 — Penrith Panthers 24 def. North Queensland Cowboys 16
Round 24 — Cronulla Sharks 26 def. North Queensland Cowboys 16
THE HISTORY
· Head-to-Head — Played 34, Won 18, Lost 15, Drawn 1
· At Campbelltown Stadium — Played 7, Won 4, Lost 3
· Last Time They Met — Wests Tigers 26 def. North Queensland 16 (Rd.6, 2017)
TEAM MATCHUP
|
Wests Tigers |
North Queensland |
Position |
15th (16 points) |
7th (28 points) |
Home Form |
Won 2, Lost 8 |
Won 6, Lost 5 |
Away Form |
Won 4, Lost 8 |
Won 6, Lost 5 |
Points Scored |
371 points (15th) |
435 points (10th) |
Points Conceded |
533 points (14th) |
409 points (6th) |