September is here and the finals have arrived for the nib Newcastle Knights having qualified for the chance to fight for the 2024 NRL Premiership.
In the first week of the finals, the red and blue will travel up to North Queensland to take on the Cowboys in an Elimination Final this Saturday.
With huge match-ups across the park, it's do-or-die with the winner to march onto finals week two and lock in a spot in the last six.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
| Date | Saturday 14 September |
| Kick-off | 7:50pm |
| Venue | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville |
| Watch | Nine, Nine Now, Fox League & Kayo Sports |
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
| Since | 1995 |
| Played | 45 |
| Cowboys | 23 |
| Knights | 22 |
TEAMS
Match: Cowboys v Knights
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Knights is number 2 Fletcher Sharpe
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Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine HolmesCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami VaileaCentre for Knights is number 12 Dylan Lucas
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Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
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Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jack Cogger
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Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake CliffordHalfback for Knights is number 7 Phoenix Crossland
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
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Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason TaumaloloProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Knights is number 22 Kai Pearce-Paul
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Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Knights is number 14 Tyson Gamble
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison EdwardsInterchange for Knights is number 15 Mat Croker
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kulikefu FinefeuiakiInterchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin NeameInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 20 Thomas MikaeleReplacement for Knights is number 18 Thomas Cant
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: In team news, Bradman Best comes out of the side (hamstring) with Dylan Lucas slotting into the centres.
Kai Pearce-Paul rejoins the 17 in the back-row, partnering Tyson Frizell.
For the Cowboys, prop Jordan McLean returns after missing the Bulldogs game with a hamstring injury so Sam McIntyre reverts to the bench.
Thomas Mikaele is the man to drop off the bench.
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FORM GUIDE
Newcastle won their decisive final round game against the Dolphins 14-6 to confirm a spot in the 2024 finals series.
The red and blue finished the regular season in 8th spot with a 12-12 record.
The Knights won four of their last five games to make the top eight.
Match Highlights: Knights v Dolphins
On the other side, North Queensland defeated the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 44-6 in the final round to secure themselves 5th position and a home final.
The Cowboys have won four of their last five matches in Townsville ahead of Saturday's sudden death play-off.
KEY MATCH-UP
Kalyn Ponga v Scott Drinkwater: What a battle this match-up looms to be between two of the game's best No.1's on Saturday.
Ponga has played an instrumental role in the Knights attack, in particular over the last run of games, laying on two try-assists against the Dolphins last time out matched with 13 tackle breaks.
KP has also averaged a goal kicking conversion rate of just over 86% in 2024, which could prove crucial on Saturday.
AOB and Ponga on finals and home crowd
On the other side, the Knights will have to remain vigilant defensively against Drinkwater who has notched 25 try-assists this season.
The Cowboys fullback had six tackle breaks and a try last match against the Bulldogs.
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STAT ATTACK
The match will mark the first time the two clubs have played against each other in the finals series.
Knights winger Fletcher Sharpe has scored eight tries in his past five games.
Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored 11 tries in his past six games.
The two sides faced off once in 2024 with the Cowboys winning in golden point back in Round 2 with a 21-20 result.
The Knights have not won in Townsville since 2015.
