Cowboys v Dolphins NRL R1 betting picks & odds | March 10, 2024

Dolphins v Cowboys best bets

Dolphins v Cowboys match preview

The Dolphins will host the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday with hopes of pulling off another unlikely victory in their first match of the NRL season, as they did last year against the Roosters.

The Dolphins have named centre Herbie Farnworth to start despite picking up a knee injury last week at training. Tesi Niu’s move to the centres will push Jack Bostock to the wing, Kodi Nikorima will play five-eighth, Thomas Flegler will make his debut for the Dolphins in the front row, and Ray Stone will start at lock in place of the injured Tom Gilbert.

The Cowboys have named veteran winger Kyle Feldt to start ahead of Semi Valemei, Zac Laybutt will line up at centre after the departure of Peta Hiku in the off-season, and Heilum Luki will start in the back row after Luciano Leilua was released from his contract. With Coen Hess out for the season, Jason Taumalolo starts at prop and Sam McIntyre fills out the bench.

Dolphins v Cowboys betting predictions

The last time these two sides met was at Suncorp Stadium, where the Cowboys piled on 24 first-half points to sink the Dolphins’ hopes of victory early. The home side finished the 2023 season losing six of its last seven matches, and with new signings Farnworth and Flegler at the club, there will still be improvement to come in the team’s on-field cohesion. The -200 at Bovada is a great price for the Cowboys to begin their season with a win in Brisbane.

Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako was the leading point-scorer and second-highest try-scorer in the NRL in 2023. He finished the year by scoring at least one try in each of the Dolphins’ last six matches, including a double against the Cowboys in his last outing. The +115 on offer is great value for Isaako to score a try at any time.

Scott Drinkwater’s ability to score points from fullback in 2023 elevated him into New South Wales’ State of Origin squad. He then went on to score at least one try in six of the Cowboys’ last eight matches as favourites in the season. The +180 for Drinkwater to score a try at any time is another great value bet.

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