VENUE & TIME: Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday August 30, 7.30pm AEST.
COVERAGE: Fox Sports
LAST TIME: Cowboys 28-22 Raiders, at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Round 21, 2007.
WALKING WOUNDED: Dynamic full-back Matt Bowen (knee) won't be back in action for the Cowboys this season, while Jacob Lillyman (shoulder) and Justin Smith (shoulder) remain in the same boat. The Cowboys suffered another injury blow last week when they lost Marc Herbert to a season-ending knee injury. Troy Thompson is also gone for the year, while Todd Carney won't play for the Green Machine again, leaving Alan Tongue to fill in at halfback.
FORM: The Cowboys have won just once in their last 16 games (three weeks ago against the Bulldogs), but have certainly been a bit more competitive since Johnathan Thurston returned to their line-up a fortnight ago. Conversely, the Raiders have won six of their past seven and now find themselves in sixth place on the competition ladder.
WHO'S HOT: Johnathan Thurston has been excellent for the Cowboys since his return from a knee injury a fortnight ago. The champion No.7 tried valiantly in the Cowboys' 38-24 loss to the Knights last week, but couldn't get his side over the line. Raiders five-eighth Terry Campese has taken his game to a new level in 2008 and has been one of the most consistent performers for the Green Machine this season. Last week against the Rabbitohs, Campese used the ball well, with his kicking game helping the Raiders to a come-from-behind victory.
WE THINK: This clash looms as a big danger game for the in-form Raiders, with the Cowboys still hopeful of finishing off the season in style and avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon. The battle between Johnathan Thurston and Alan Tongue in the half-back position will be an intriguing one, while there is plenty of power in each team's front-row. While the Raiders are in much better form than their opponents, we tend to think that the Cowboys may be ready for one big performance before the season is out. Cowboys by 8.
TEAMS:
Cowboys: 1. Mark Henry, 2. Ty Williams, 3. Ashley Graham, 4. Ben Farrar, 5. John Williams, 6. Travis Burns, 7. Johnathan Thurston (c), 8. Carl Webb, 9. Aaron Payne, 10. Shane Tronc, 11. Luke O'Donnell, 12. Sione Faumuina, 13. Ben Harris
Interchange: 14. Steve Southern, 15. Ben Vaeau, 16. Ray Cashmere, 17. Matt Scott, 18. Dayne Weston
Raiders: 1. David Milne, 2.Adrian Purtell, 3. Colin Best, 4. Joel Monaghan, 5. Brett Kelly, 6. Terry Campese, 7. Alan Tongue (c), 8. Scott Logan, 9. Glen Buttriss, 10. Dane Tilse, 11. Trevor Thurling, 12. Joe Picker, 13. Nigel Plum
Interchange: 14. Josh Miller, 15. Marshall Chalk, 16. Neville Costigan, 17. Ryan Hinchcliffe, 18. Cy Lasscock, 19. Ben Jones