<p>The 2024 NRL Finals are here! Only eight teams remain after one of the most thrilling, unpredictable and closely contested seasons in recent memory.</p> <p>It took all 27 rounds to finalise the top eight, with the final spot still up for grabs right up until the last game of the season.</p> <p>We got there in the end and now we stand on the precipice of the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/predictions/finals-week-1-2024-tips">first week of the finals.</a></p> <p>After the top four are finished deciding amongst themselves who progresses straight to the Prelims, the real fun begins - the Elimination Finals!</p> <p>First up is this do-or-die clash between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Newcastle Knights.</p> <p>The Cowboys finished the regular season in fifth on the back of three straight wins to round out their campaign. As a result they get home ground advantage in this one, which when you drag a team from Newcastle all the way up to the tropics, becomes a very big advantage indeed?</p> <p>Can the Knights beat the heat and secure their passage to the next round of the NRL finals? Or will the Cowboys continue to ride towards Rugby League’s promised land?</p> <p>For the latest news, analysis, players to watch, betting tips odds and more for this clash, check out our Cowboys vs Knights predictions and preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cowboys vs Knights Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Believe it or not, the Cowboys have the best winning record against the other teams in the top eight, heading into the finals.</p> <p>That’s right, with seven out of ten wins against their fellow finalists, they’ve had more success this season against the big hitters than even Penrith (7/11) and Melbourne (6/10).</p> <p>Care to have a guess which side has the worst record with just one win against top eight opposition in 2024? The Newcastle Knights.</p> <p>Yep, after pulling a Steven Bradbury and just sneaking into the finals at the last second, the Knights aren’t exactly red-hot favourites to stay the course.</p> <p>As a result, the Cowboys will have plenty of backers, but it pays to remember the last time they met the Knights at this venue, they only won by a solitary point. That 21-20 epic could be a preview of things to come here, so let’s take a look at some of the players that could be the ones serving up the drama.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Players to Watch</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Kalyn Ponga</h3> <p>Sometimes it’s easy to forget that reigning Dally M Medallist Kalyn Ponga used to be a Cowboy.</p> <p>The dynamic fullback started his career up north, playing nine games for the Townsville club before the Knights decided they’d seen enough and threw the kitchen sink at him.</p> <p>It’s no coincidence his return from injury aligned with Newcastle’s late season surge as he proved not all heroes wear capes, but indeed wear headgear.</p> <p>If the Knights do pull off a miracle at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, you’d suspect Ponga’s fingerprints and footprints for that matter will be all over it.</p>

<h3>Scott Drinkwater</h3> <p>From one fullback to another. They may have very contrasting styles, but their impact on their side’s fortunes are very similar.</p> <p>In a team void of any real individual superstars, Scott Drinkwater has established himself as the key cog in the Cowboys attack.</p> <p>His ball playing at the back, paired with his crafty running game has helped Todd Payten’s chargers secure a fifth placed finish despite playing halfback roulette throughout the season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Bradman Best</h3> <p>Newcastle’s strike centre seems to be finally putting his injury problems behind him and his Best foot forward.</p> <p>These days Bradman&nbsp;is a NSW Origin representative and now an Origin winner too, largely thanks to his own heroics in this year’s decider.</p> <p>He clearly loves the big games, and they don’t come much bigger than an Elimination Final on the road. Look to him to make his presence felt on Saturday night.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Kyle Feldt</h3> <p>Another player who will be hoping to make their presence Feldt is a departing Cowboy.</p> <p>Kyle Feldt announced earlier this year that season 2024 would be his last in the NRL. He leaves as the clubs all-time leading try scorer, and will no doubt be doing everything in his power to ensure he gets to run out for his beloved Cowboys at least one more time after Saturday.</p>

<h2>Cowboys vs Knights Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>After analysing their record against the top eight, it comes as no surprise to see the Cowboys are healthy favourites in the H2H market heading into this one.</p> <p>Yes, they only scraped home last time they entertained Newcastle, but that was all the way back in round 5 and they have definitely gone up a level or two since then.</p> <p>Riding into this one off the back of three straight wins, in which they scored a combined 124 points, if the heat sets in and the Knights concede early, don’t be surprised to see this one blowout in the North Queenslander’s favour.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Cowboys 13+</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Try Scorer Prediction</h3> <p>He opened the scoring last week and it would be rather fitting if Kyle Feldt were to open the scoring in his final game in front of the fans who have cheered him on for the best part of a decade in the NRL.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Kyle Feldt.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Prediction</h3> <p>Since we’re backing a blowout, the over total points market here makes the most sense. It makes even more sense when you go back and realise that the Cowboys last six games have all gone over the 43.5 point threshold.</p> <p>The Cowboys alone have threatened that watermark in their last three outings. Wherever they go, points seem to follow, and Saturday night should be no different.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Over total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cowboys vs Knights Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, September 14, 2024.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off:</strong> 7:50pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville.&nbsp;</p>