North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos Verdict
The Broncos need to win all of their remaining games to make the finals and they can keep the dream alive with a victory in the Queensland derby. Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs and Braidon Burns are the focus for player props.
- Broncos have won six of their last seven games vs Cowboys
- Cowboys have lost four of their last six games
- Broncos have won their last three games in Townsville
- Reece Walsh has scored 1+ try in six of his last seven games vs Queensland teams
- Kotoni Staggs has scored 1+ try in his last four games vs Cowboys
- Staggs has scored the first, second or third try in five of his seven try-scoring games in 2026
- Staggs scored the first try vs Cowboys in Round 6 earlier this season
- Braidon Burns has scored six tries in his last five games - Broncos leaked 2 tries vs To'o last week
Head To Head
Broncos have dominated lately, but the Cowboys snapped a six-match losing streak with a high-scoring 35-31 win earlier this year, with Heilum Luki scoring the match-winning try in the 78th minute.
North Queensland Cowboys Form
The Cowboys remain arguably the hardest team to get a read on and are seemingly capable of beating and losing to any team on any day.
North Queensland are clinging onto a finals spot in eighth, but until they improve their consistency and defence, they can't really be considered as premiership threats - although they have the ability to beat the best, as demonstrated through another win over the Panthers recently.
However, overall, the Cowboys have lost four of their last six games, with one of those wins coming against a slumping Manly side in golden point.
Looking to establish themselves in the eight, the Cows were blown away 36-16 by a Dolphins side who had conceded 66 points in their previous game and were missing their halfback.
Brisbane Broncos Form
The Broncos' struggles in 2026 have been well-documented, but they have dealt with a number of injuries to high-profile players.
With Walsh, Payne Haas, Adam Reynolds, Pat Carrigan and Ezra Mam all back on deck, along with the return of hooker Billy Walters for this game, the Broncos will look to recapture the memories of their magical premiership run from last year.
It's still highly unlikely they will miss the finals, but if the Broncos take it one week at a time and keep winning, belief will start to grow.
It was a Walsh masterclass last week against the Panthers at CommBank, with the electric fullback registering three try assists as the Broncos came away with a 14-12 win, snap an eight-match losing streak and keep their season alive.
Cowboys vs Broncos Team News
Jake Clifford returns to partner Tom Dearden in the halves for the Cowboys, while Tom Mikaele is back from concussion, meaning Sam McIntyre drops out of the side.
Billy Walters has been named on the bench for his first game since tearing his ACL in the finals last year.
Brendan Piakura is out with concussion, with Xavier Willison moving to the second row and Preston Riki starting at prop.