Head Coach Mick Potter has revealed exclusively to Wests Tigers Members one key inclusion for the side to face North Queensland this Saturday.
Luke Brooks will be named at halfback despite being a late withdrawal from last night’s game with a shoulder injury.
Potter is optimistic that Brooks will recover in time for Saturday’s match in Townsville.
“We have only got a few days extra to get him right but I’m hopeful,” Potter said. “He is working overtime with his physio.”
“I’ll talk to our Club physio during the week and Luke was keen last night but wasn’t quite ready – we will see how he goes tomorrow.
“He copped a whack last week against the Dragons but toughed it out and played the whole game.
“It’s unfortunate but the more time off he has the better he gets.”
Curtis Sironen moved back into the halves last night to replace Brooks, partnering Blake Austin for the first time this season.
“They haven’t had too much time together,” Potter said. “Curtis has been playing back row for most of the year but he knows how to play six and seven.”
“He jumped back into that role and if worst comes to worst, he can do that again for us this week.”
The last time the two sides met was in Round 6 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, with Wests Tigers recording a 16-4 victory.
“It (Round 6) was a good gauge for where we were at, but we probably have a different team now and I think the Cowboys are fairly set,” Potter said.
“It’s no different in terms of the mentality we go in with, even though we are playing them in Townsville - it’s the same sort of game, they have the same sort of players and we just need to make sure we do everything right.”
Stay tuned for the full team announcement later this afternoon on weststigers.com.au
