Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 23 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos. The game kicks off at 3:00 pm with Brisbane Broncos heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs. Brisbane Broncos game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday August 5, 2023 at 3:00 pm

Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos Odds

North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos Preview

A barnburner of a Queensland derby awaits in Townsville on Saturday, with the Cowboys aiming to bounce back from a streak-ending defeat and the Broncos looking to continue their roll towards a top-two finish.

The Cowboys looked unstoppable on their six-match winning streak and last Sunday’s loss on the Gold Coast was widely unexpectedly, held scoreless in the second half of a 22-13 defeat as the Titans did a superb job of shutting down dangermen Scott Drinkwater and Tom Dearden.

The shock result leaves North Queensland in eighth amid a very tight logjam, where another loss is likely to see them finish the weekend in 11th.

Griffin Neame and Heilum Luki are back for the Cowboys, giving the bench a dynamic look.

But Valentine Holmes’ four-match ban is severe blow to their late-season ambitions; impressive rookie Kyle Laybutt is set to fill the breach in the centres.

Hellbent on avoiding their late-season fadeout of 2022, the second-placed Broncos have won four straight in convincing style.

They came from behind to overwhelm Souths 36-20 in Round 21 and never looked in trouble during a 32-10 defeat of the Roosters last Thursday.

Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam provided the flash, but keeping their tryline intact for the first 65 minutes against the Roosters hinted at a developing defensive resolve – the last ingredient in the Broncos’ increasingly compelling premiership bid.

Jesse Arthars (suspension) and Brendan Piakura (illness) return for the Broncos, with Deine Mariner and Xavier Willison dropping out.

The Broncos made an early-season statement with a 28-16 defeat of the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium. But the Cowboys have won 10 of the teams’ last 14 clashes in Townsville, including a 40-26 result in 2022.

The Cowboys are 8-2 at home this season, while the Broncos are 7-1 outside Brisbane in 2023.

Holmes’ absence is big but this still shapes as a flip of the coin in Townsville. Expect a stirring response from the chastened hosts with their season very much in the balance.

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