2024 Round 15 v Cowboys: Teams and Previews *Teams p1*

[Botman]

Nothing hugely surprising there

[Crusader]

we cant play catch up in this game, warriors destroyed them but this wont be that same team, this wont be easy, but sure is winnable

[Ruben Daley]

Cows are a weird team , very talented and on their day lethal. But off their day they arent very good.

We need our backs to see early ball. Work the middle then expand our play, 2nd phase play.
It hasn't happened to often this year.
Early season we did it and scored frequently. Since then we haven't been able to.
Also line speed is needed in defence .

Weekly team post from me
Levi needs to go.

Agree with your assessment of the Cows. They should be right up the ladder when you look at those names. Their defence has been particularly woeful at times this year.

As for second phase play, I’m not sure we haven’t been able to. It seems to me that we’ve chosen not to. And I have no idea why because, as you say, it was really effective earlier in the season.

We have great offloading forwards and legitimate speed in the backs. I also maintain the team is better overall when they are more free in attack because they switch on better.

There’s middle ground between the high-risk freewheeling style of footy that Ricky appears to fear and the totally conservative style we often play.

[Finchy]

We haven't managed to beat the Cowboys in the past 4 seasons. I don't see that streak ending this week unfortunately. The Cowboys haven't even been that good for most of the past 4 years.

[Battered Savage]

Cows have won 7 games, just like us.

No byes for them, we've had 2.

In saying that, with their squad they should be doing a bit better.


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[Ben & Sev Love Milk]

Cows have won 7 games, just like us.

No byes for them, we've had 2.

In saying that, with their squad they should be doing a bit better.


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Yeah that’s a good point but hopefully we get the Cowboys that turned up against the Warriors because they were bad.

[Billy Walker]

We haven't managed to beat the Cowboys in the past 4 seasons. I don't see that streak ending this week unfortunately. The Cowboys haven't even been that good for most of the past 4 years.

What a confused and complex soul you are Finchy. Reconcile the above with below for me will you please….

I’ve tipped us to win. It’s an average cowboy team.

I swear you just say the opposite of whatever the general consensus is without even actually believing it yourself. I could say the Pope is Catholic and you’d argue he isn’t.

Let’s look at this “average” Cowboys team, which also happened to finish top 4 last year.

1. Scott Drinkwater (everyone seems to rate him)
2. Kyle Feldt (aging, but has won a GF and played Origin)
3. Valentine Holmes (close to the best centre in the game and current Origin rep)
4. Peta Hiku (aging but always has a field day against us. A modern day Ben Pomeroy)
5. Murray Taulagi (up and coming star, played Origin)
6. Tom Dearden (as above)
7. Chad Townsend (average halfback but really guides the team well)
8. Jordan McLean (Rep quality)
9. Reece Robson (Rep quality)
10. Reuben Cotter (current Origin rep)
11. Coen Hess (former Origin rep and rookie of the year back playing on the edge where he’s dangerous)
12. Jeremiah Nanai (Origin rep and next big star)
13. Jason Taumalolo (Rep quality and general gun player)

14. Jake Granville (former Origin rep and GF winner)
15. Griffin Neame (don’t know much about him)
16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (don’t know anything about him)
17. James Tamou (GF winner but past it these days).

I’d say their bench is just as average as ours, but their starting team is littered with either past, current, or future rep players. More than our team in any case.

Taking into account the heat, playing at their home ground, them finishing top 4 last year, and beating us twice, I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they’re average and we’ll beat them.

If we do end up beating them it won’t be because we have better quality players. We’ll need a miracle.

[Finchy]

We haven't managed to beat the Cowboys in the past 4 seasons. I don't see that streak ending this week unfortunately. The Cowboys haven't even been that good for most of the past 4 years.

What a confused and complex soul you are Finchy. Reconcile the above with below for me will you please….

I’ve tipped us to win. It’s an average cowboy team.

I swear you just say the opposite of whatever the general consensus is without even actually believing it yourself. I could say the Pope is Catholic and you’d argue he isn’t.

Let’s look at this “average” Cowboys team, which also happened to finish top 4 last year.

1. Scott Drinkwater (everyone seems to rate him)
2. Kyle Feldt (aging, but has won a GF and played Origin)
3. Valentine Holmes (close to the best centre in the game and current Origin rep)
4. Peta Hiku (aging but always has a field day against us. A modern day Ben Pomeroy)
5. Murray Taulagi (up and coming star, played Origin)
6. Tom Dearden (as above)
7. Chad Townsend (average halfback but really guides the team well)
8. Jordan McLean (Rep quality)
9. Reece Robson (Rep quality)
10. Reuben Cotter (current Origin rep)
11. Coen Hess (former Origin rep and rookie of the year back playing on the edge where he’s dangerous)
12. Jeremiah Nanai (Origin rep and next big star)
13. Jason Taumalolo (Rep quality and general gun player)

14. Jake Granville (former Origin rep and GF winner)
15. Griffin Neame (don’t know much about him)
16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (don’t know anything about him)
17. James Tamou (GF winner but past it these days).

I’d say their bench is just as average as ours, but their starting team is littered with either past, current, or future rep players. More than our team in any case.

Taking into account the heat, playing at their home ground, them finishing top 4 last year, and beating us twice, I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they’re average and we’ll beat them.

If we do end up beating them it won’t be because we have better quality players. We’ll need a miracle.

What part? Me saying they'll beat us 18 months ago (which they did), and me saying they'll beat us again this year?

Average results are different from an average team. There is a difference. You think their players are average. I disagree. Their results for the most part have been average though.

Look at the Roosters. They have the best roster in the comp but haven't done much with it recently. Doesn't mean the squad is average just because they've only won half their games.

I also said that original quote after the Cowboys had just finished top 4 (where they really should be every year with that team). Hardly a wild take 18 months ago. Yours was.

Outside of that year though, they have massively underachieved with the level of talent in the team. They just had 6 players selected in origin. How many did we have?

But I'm not really interested in further trolling on this topic, you've baited me enough just to get this response.

[The Nickman]

And you bit HARD, Finchy!

Not sure if some of you blokes will ever learn

[Finchy]

And you bit HARD, Finchy!

Not sure if some of you blokes will ever learn

It's like that old saying, never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig enjoys it.

[Billy Walker]

We haven't managed to beat the Cowboys in the past 4 seasons. I don't see that streak ending this week unfortunately. The Cowboys haven't even been that good for most of the past 4 years.

What a confused and complex soul you are Finchy. Reconcile the above with below for me will you please….

I’ve tipped us to win. It’s an average cowboy team.

I swear you just say the opposite of whatever the general consensus is without even actually believing it yourself. I could say the Pope is Catholic and you’d argue he isn’t.

Let’s look at this “average” Cowboys team, which also happened to finish top 4 last year.

1. Scott Drinkwater (everyone seems to rate him)
2. Kyle Feldt (aging, but has won a GF and played Origin)
3. Valentine Holmes (close to the best centre in the game and current Origin rep)
4. Peta Hiku (aging but always has a field day against us. A modern day Ben Pomeroy)
5. Murray Taulagi (up and coming star, played Origin)
6. Tom Dearden (as above)
7. Chad Townsend (average halfback but really guides the team well)
8. Jordan McLean (Rep quality)
9. Reece Robson (Rep quality)
10. Reuben Cotter (current Origin rep)
11. Coen Hess (former Origin rep and rookie of the year back playing on the edge where he’s dangerous)
12. Jeremiah Nanai (Origin rep and next big star)
13. Jason Taumalolo (Rep quality and general gun player)

14. Jake Granville (former Origin rep and GF winner)
15. Griffin Neame (don’t know much about him)
16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (don’t know anything about him)
17. James Tamou (GF winner but past it these days).

I’d say their bench is just as average as ours, but their starting team is littered with either past, current, or future rep players. More than our team in any case.

Taking into account the heat, playing at their home ground, them finishing top 4 last year, and beating us twice, I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they’re average and we’ll beat them.

If we do end up beating them it won’t be because we have better quality players. We’ll need a miracle.

What part? Me saying they'll beat us 18 months ago (which they did), and me saying they'll beat us again this year?

Average results are different from an average team. There is a difference. You think their players are average. I disagree. Their results for the most part have been average though.

Look at the Roosters. They have the best roster in the comp but haven't done much with it recently. Doesn't mean the squad is average just because they've only won half their games.

I also said that original quote after the Cowboys had just finished top 4 (where they really should be every year with that team). Hardly a wild take 18 months ago. Yours was.

Outside of that year though, they have massively underachieved with the level of talent in the team. They just had 6 players selected in origin. How many did we have?

But I'm not really interested in further trolling on this topic, you've baited me enough just to get this response.

Which bit? “They haven’t even been that good for the last 4 years” versus “I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they are average”.

Those two quotes are in direct contradiction of each other, but I’m sure you’ll point to lunar cycles, Greek mythology and whatever else to tell me they are aligned. Failing that you can always go with the toys out of the cot reply “you’re a troll” which is just another way of saying “you are right and I am wrong, but I can’t admit it so I’ll take my bat and ball and go home”

[Finchy]

Put your reading glasses on and read my response. It explains your comprehension issues perfectly. Beyond that I can't help you.

[Billy Walker]

Put your reading glasses on and read my response. It explains your comprehension issues perfectly. Beyond that I can't help you.

It’s an uncomfortably confusing and even further contradictory response that you have provided. I don’t think it strengthens your argument, but rather, it empowers the conflicting aspects of your original two statements.

[Finchy]

Cowboys team above average. Cowboys results below average. Cowboys beat us regardless.

[Billy Walker]

Cowboys team above average. Cowboys results below average. Cowboys beat us regardless.

“I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they are average”. They are your exact words

[Finchy]

Cowboys team above average. Cowboys results below average. Cowboys beat us regardless.

“I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they are average”. They are your exact words

See the optometrist Billy.
"Cowboys team above average."
"I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they are average".

I'm saying the same thing, yet you seem to think they are contradictory statements. Or you know, you're trolling.

[Billy Walker]

Cowboys team above average. Cowboys results below average. Cowboys beat us regardless.

“I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they are average”. They are your exact words

See the optometrist Billy.
"Cowboys team above average."
"I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they are average".

I'm saying the same thing, yet you seem to think they are contradictory statements. Or you know, you're trolling.

You also say the Cowboys haven’t been good for 4 years. Guess what sits below good on the rating scale big guy…….

[Finchy]

Cowboys team above average. Cowboys results below average. Cowboys beat us regardless.

“I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they are average”. They are your exact words

See the optometrist Billy.
"Cowboys team above average."
"I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they are average".

I'm saying the same thing, yet you seem to think they are contradictory statements. Or you know, you're trolling.

You also say the Cowboys haven’t been good for 4 years. Guess what sits below good on the rating scale big guy…….

Results Billy, results. Not squad. Which we’ve already been through.

But keep ignoring the facts and logic and keep trolling and laughing. I’m sure everyone finds it as hilarious as you do. What a fulfilling existence

[Billy Walker]

Cowboys team above average. Cowboys results below average. Cowboys beat us regardless.

“I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they are average”. They are your exact words

See the optometrist Billy.
"Cowboys team above average."
"I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they are average".

I'm saying the same thing, yet you seem to think they are contradictory statements. Or you know, you're trolling.

You also say the Cowboys haven’t been good for 4 years. Guess what sits below good on the rating scale big guy…….

Results Billy, results. Not squad. Which we’ve already been through.

But keep ignoring the facts and logic and keep trolling and laughing. I’m sure everyone finds it as hilarious as you do. What a fulfilling existence

So you’re running with the position that when you typed “they haven’t been that good for four years” it should have been read as “although they have been good for 4 years, their results have not been good”. Seems flimsy

[reptar]

Sometimes it’s like Uber driver ratings. 5 stars - didn’t actively try to kill me during the trip.

[-PJ-]

Raiders by 8.

The home results have been horrible, need to a fix that Friday night.

[Roger Kenworthy]

And you bit HARD, Finchy!

Not sure if some of you blokes will ever learn

It's like that old saying, never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig enjoys it.

Piggy Walker it is.

[The Nickman]

Cowboys team above average. Cowboys results below average. Cowboys beat us regardless.

“I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they are average”. They are your exact words

See the optometrist Billy.
"Cowboys team above average."
"I fail to see how anyone can look at that team and think they are average".

I'm saying the same thing, yet you seem to think they are contradictory statements. Or you know, you're trolling.

You also say the Cowboys haven’t been good for 4 years. Guess what sits below good on the rating scale big guy…….

Results Billy, results. Not squad. Which we’ve already been through.

But keep ignoring the facts and logic and keep trolling and laughing. I’m sure everyone finds it as hilarious as you do. What a fulfilling existence

Jesus Christ, Finchy. Just stop, man. For your own sanity.

[Regs Revolution]

What did I just read!

This is a weird one this game and I’ve felt like this in the past. It’s a game where literally anything can happen. Buckle up as this game is sure to provide some heart palpitations.

[greeneyed]

From a summery 27 to a freezing 7: Cowboys to get frosty Canberra reception



The Cowboys will plummet from a summery 27 degrees in Townsville to a freezing seven when they run onto Canberra Stadium on Friday.

"That won't affect them. They've got a lot of experienced players, a lot of representative players who have played in adverse conditions," coach Ricky Stuart said. "We're playing against a very, very good football team with a lot of representative players who are there for a reason - because they're very, very good players."

Read more: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/ ... /?cs=14280



GALLERY: Gearing up for the Cowboys: https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2024/06 ... r-cowboys/

[The Nickman]

Hahaha "Summery 27"

I'll give you a hot tip: 27 is nothing like Summer in Townsville!

[Finchy]

Hey Billy, you’re always telling us Ricky knows more than us when it comes to the team. Then he says this about the Cowboys:

"They've got a lot of experienced players, a lot of representative players who have played in adverse conditions," coach Ricky Stuart said. "We're playing against a very, very good football team with a lot of representative players who are there for a reason - because they're very, very good players."

Doesn’t sound like an “average” team like you like to claim. Ricky knows best!

[Billy Walker]

Hey Billy, you’re always telling us Ricky knows more than us when it comes to the team. Then he says this about the Cowboys:

"They've got a lot of experienced players, a lot of representative players who have played in adverse conditions," coach Ricky Stuart said. "We're playing against a very, very good football team with a lot of representative players who are there for a reason - because they're very, very good players."

Doesn’t sound like an “average” team like you like to claim. Ricky knows best!

Ricky says Cowboys are a very very good football team, Finchy says Cowboys haven’t been good for four years. Finchy thinks Ricky’s quote give credibility to his quote - swing and a miss lad!

We haven't managed to beat the Cowboys in the past 4 seasons. I don't see that streak ending this week unfortunately. The Cowboys haven't even been that good for most of the past 4 years.

[President Clinton]

Cowboys have a pretty stacked squad, but they have only made the finals one in the last four or five years. Pressure starting to heat up on Payten after the ugly loss to the Warriors.

I think they might turn it around (temporarily) on Friday. Holmes always plays good against us.

[Finchy]

Hey Billy, you’re always telling us Ricky knows more than us when it comes to the team. Then he says this about the Cowboys:

"They've got a lot of experienced players, a lot of representative players who have played in adverse conditions," coach Ricky Stuart said. "We're playing against a very, very good football team with a lot of representative players who are there for a reason - because they're very, very good players."

Doesn’t sound like an “average” team like you like to claim. Ricky knows best!

Ricky says Cowboys are a very very good football team, Finchy says Cowboys haven’t been good for four years. Finchy thinks Ricky’s quote give credibility to his quote - swing and a miss lad!

We haven't managed to beat the Cowboys in the past 4 seasons. I don't see that streak ending this week unfortunately. The Cowboys haven't even been that good for most of the past 4 years.

Results Billy, you keep missing the difference between good players and poor results. The only one swinging and missing is you buddy. Pick another one out of your **** net

[Regs Revolution]

We need the resurrection of Matt’s matchups for this one. They’ve definitely got a better team but I’d still take one winger of ours, one centre, one half, both front rowers and that’s it. Maybeeeee one second rower. Our bench is probably better too.

[Cranky Old Man]

They do have a good team on reputation but they just havent been able to live up to their potential on a consistent basis. A bit like Souths, they look like they should be doing much better than they have managed so far. The margin in this game could be anywhere from 30 plus to 30 minus.

[Billy Walker]

They do have a good team on reputation but they just havent been able to live up to their potential on a consistent basis. A bit like Souths, they look like they should be doing much better than they have managed so far. The margin in this game could be anywhere from 30 plus to 30 minus.

I reckon we will get them Cranky. They will be keen to bounce back but it’s a long trip and it’s pretty cold and uncomfortable that time of night. If we knock the wind out their sails early they will struggle to come back.

[BadnMean]

We need the resurrection of Matt’s matchups for this one. They’ve definitely got a better team but I’d still take one winger of ours, one centre, one half, both front rowers and that’s it. Maybeeeee one second rower. Our bench is probably better too.

So... about 8 of the 17?

[Billy Walker]

Hey Billy, you’re always telling us Ricky knows more than us when it comes to the team. Then he says this about the Cowboys:

"They've got a lot of experienced players, a lot of representative players who have played in adverse conditions," coach Ricky Stuart said. "We're playing against a very, very good football team with a lot of representative players who are there for a reason - because they're very, very good players."

Doesn’t sound like an “average” team like you like to claim. Ricky knows best!

Ricky says Cowboys are a very very good football team, Finchy says Cowboys haven’t been good for four years. Finchy thinks Ricky’s quote give credibility to his quote - swing and a miss lad!

We haven't managed to beat the Cowboys in the past 4 seasons. I don't see that streak ending this week unfortunately. The Cowboys haven't even been that good for most of the past 4 years.

Results Billy, you keep missing the difference between good players and poor results. The only one swinging and missing is you buddy. Pick another one out of your **** net

Finchy I’ve decided to be the bigger person and not beat down on you any further on this issue. I appreciate you post a lot and that will at times lead to you contradicting yourself as you have done in this case. I also appreciate you’ve doubled down hard and painted yourself into a pretty ugly corner. Everyone loves to pile on old Billy, but in two days not a single other poster has supported your position - so the results are in my friend and your arm hasn’t been raised in victory on this issue. It’s nearly game day, and you should focus on cheering on the raiders with a clear mind free from concerns about how the cowboys can be two diametrically opposed things at once. Enjoy the game - you’ve had a tough week!