It’s now or never for the North Queensland Cowboys, who will travel south to face the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
The Cowboys sit five points out of the top eight having slumped to five losses from their past six matches, which includes a 58-4 drubbing by the Dolphins about a month ago.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins, who have hit form at the right time, face a tough run home with five of their remaining seven outings against teams currently in the top eight.
League-leading try-scorer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is back on deck after being rested last week post-Origin, though the Dolphins have lost enforcers Mark Nicholls and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki to injury.
The Cowboys will be without veteran Jordan McLean, giving Thomas Mikaele the start at prop and Kaiden Lahrs a spot on the bench. Jaxson Paulo has also been recalled, with Robert Derby the man missing out.
Here are some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer, and over/under markets for this game. As well as the full team lists for both sides. This is our Dolphins vs Cowboys prediction.
Dolphins v Cowboys Prediction and Betting Tips
Head-to-Head Prediction
Kicking off proceedings in NRL round 20 is this all-Queensland affair between the Dolphin and the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium.
Both enter this one coming off narrow defeats and will no doubt be desperate to bounce back in an effort to keep their finals hopes alive.
Such is the mid-table log jam at the moment, only two wins currently separate the Dolphins, who are 10th, from the fifth-place Broncos.
The Cowboys situation is a little more desperate, as they are currently three points and two places off the Phins. They did show plenty of fight in their last two losses, which were both by a single try and against the Storm and Bulldogs respectively.
Still, narrow heart-breaking defeats like those can more than knock your confidence as they are the ultimate reminder of ‘so close, yet so far.’
The Dolphins are at home here and are all set to welcome back the Hammer now that Origin is won and done. Phins up for us.
Betting tip: The Dolphins.
First Try Scorer Prediction
Not only is he leading the league for tries scored this year, but Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow simply loves playing at Suncorp Stadium.
The man they call the Hammer has scored two or more tries in each of the Dolphins' last three matches as favourites at Lang Park.
He’ll also be fresh as a daisy after being rested last week. Look to him to make his mark early in this one.
Betting tip: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Over/Under Prediction
If you wind the clock back a few weeks to the last time these two met, there was a total of 62 points in that game.
Add to this the fact that each of the last three matches between the Dolphins and North Queensland have gone over the total match points line and you’ll understand why we are deciding to take over the total match points line here.
Betting tip: Over total match points.
Dolphins v Cowboys Teams
The Dolphins Team List
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Max Feagai
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Jake Averillo
6. Sean O'Sullivan
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Francis Molo
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Aublix Tawha
11. Connelly Lemuelu
12. Oryn Keeley
13. Kurt Donoghoe
14. Harrison Graham
15. Ray Stone
16. Josh Kerr
17. Peter Hola
North Queensland Cowboys Team List
1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Jaxson Paulo
3. Braidon Burns
4. Zac Laybutt
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Jaxon Purdue
7. Tom Dearden
8. Thomas Mikaele
9. Reece Robson
10. Griffin Neame
11. Reuben Cotter
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Harrison Edwards
14. Karl Lawton
15. Kaiden Lahrs
16. Kai O'Donnell
17. Coen Hess
Dolphins v Cowboys Match Details
Date: Thursday, July 17, 2025.
Kick-off: 7:50pm AEST.
Location: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.