NRL Round 2 Preview and Prediction - Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys @ Suncorp Stadium

Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys @ Suncorp Stadium
 
Preview - Fans will be salivating at the prospect of another Broncos and Cowboys classic as they go toe to toe at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. The Broncos were one of the more impressive teams in Round 1 as they peeled off a 26-18 victory at the home of the defending Premiers, the Cronulla Sharks. A late try to Anthony Milford sealed another Round 1 victory under Wayne Bennett for a Club that is traditionally fast out of the blocks. The Cowboys were involved in what turned out to be the game of the round against the Raiders, prevailing in a thrilling 20-16 golden point classic at 1300Smiles Stadium. The Cowboys’ winning try came in freakish circumstances when a Johnathan Thurston field goal hit the under side of the cross bar and sat up in the in-goal, for a chaser to dive upon and break the Raiders’ hearts. The Cowboys, on the back of an 11-4 penalty count, failed to capitalise on their territorial and one man advantage for 10 minutes, as the Raiders copped a sin binning for repeated infringements. 
 
History - The Broncos hold a sizeable overall advantage over the Cowboys, having won 30, lost 14 and drawn 2 against their Queensland rivals. However, of late, the Cowboys have won the games that mattered, beating the Broncos in the Grand Final in 2015, and eliminating them from Semi-Final contention in 2016 in Golden Point once again. The last 5 games between these clubs have been decided by 6 points or less, and I am expecting another bottler here on Friday night. However, the Cowboys have lost their last 5 games at Suncorp Stadium and have not won their since back in 2012. 
 
Brisbane Broncos’ Scouting Report - The Broncos remain unchanged from the side that got the job done at Cronulla in Week 1. Tautau Moga justified the faith Wayne Bennett showed in him, starting him in the centres, with a really strong performance in Round 1. I expected the Broncos’ pack to struggle a bit this year in the absence of veteran leader Corey Parker, however Josh McGuire had a really strong game carting the ball forward alongside Origin back row pair of Sam Thaiday and Matt Gillette. Anthony Milford had some really silky touches out wide, capped off with a late solo try, whilst Ben Hunt had a mixed night with a few poor kicking options. 
 
North Queensland Cowboys’ Scouting Report - Antonio Winterstein has been named to play but remains in some doubt with injury. There is an exciting trio of outside backs on stand by with Javid Bowen, Gideon Gela-Mosby and Kalyn Ponga all on standby. Jason Taumololo was close to unstoppable last week against the Raiders, running for over 200 metres in another powerhouse performance. The Cowboys tried to vary their attack giving more responsibility to the likes of Jake Granville, Michael Morgan and Lachlan Coote, however could not quite convert their possession into points in their golden point victory against the Raiders. 
 
Verdict - Broncos by 1-6 In an open and up tempo game of football
 
I think the Broncos were the more impressive of these two sides in Round 1. Plus the fact they have won their last 5 against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium leads me to the conclusion that they continue their fast start to the season here. The Cowboys probably have more attacking weapons than Brisbane, however I just think their combinations look a bit off this early in the season and, if this game is a defensive battle, I think that might suit Brisbane. Crucially for mine the Broncos are coming off an 8 day turnaround whilst the Cowboys are on a quick 6 day back up having gone into Golden Point against the Raiders. I think this game will be relatively high scoring and the ruck speed will be lighting on a quick surface up at Suncorp. I just think the Broncos are due in one of those tight finishes and they have the wood on the Cowboys at home.