Biggest Winners – Cowboys

Soni Luke

Luke has been named to make just his second start of the season at hooker, replacing the concussed Reed Mahoney. His speed around the ruck gives North Queensland a different dimension in attack and places extra emphasis on his service to the halves.

Betting impact: Luke’s inclusion should help generate quicker rucks and creates more attacking opportunities for the Cowboys’ spine.

Scott Drinkwater

Drinkwater remains the Cowboys’ most dangerous attacking weapon and will again be relied upon to create points from broken play. With Tom Dearden still unavailable, even more responsibility falls on the fullback to inject himself into the contest.

Betting impact: Drinkwater remains North Queensland’s best player market option, particularly in anytime try scorer and line break markets.

Jake Clifford

Clifford continues at five-eighth alongside Jaxon Purdue and will be responsible for sharing the kicking duties against one of the NRL’s best defensive outfits. His game management becomes even more important without Dearden.

Betting impact: Clifford’s increased workload makes him a value play in try assist and kicking-related markets.

Biggest Losers – Cowboys

Reed Mahoney

Mahoney misses the clash after entering concussion protocols, forcing a change at dummy-half and removing one of the Cowboys’ most experienced organisers.

Tom Dearden

Dearden remains sidelined and is expected to miss at least another three weeks, denying North Queensland its chief playmaker for another crucial clash.

Cowboys middle forwards

The Roosters possess one of the competition’s strongest middle rotations, meaning North Queensland’s pack will need to win the ruck to give Drinkwater and Clifford quality attacking opportunities.

Biggest Winners – Roosters

James Tedesco

Tedesco continues to lead the Roosters superbly from fullback and comes into the match in outstanding form. His support play and ability to create overlaps make him the focal point of Sydney’s attack.

Betting impact: Tedesco shapes as one of the strongest player market selections of the round, particularly for anytime try scorer and player performance markets.

Sam Walker

Walker continues to steer the Roosters around the park alongside Daly Cherry-Evans, giving Sydney one of the competition’s most experienced halves pairings. His kicking game should place constant pressure on the Cowboys’ back three.

Betting impact: Walker remains an excellent option in try assist and line break assist markets.

Reece Robson

Returning to Townsville to face his former club, Robson will be eager to make an impact through the middle. His defence and service from dummy-half are key to the Roosters’ attacking rhythm.

Betting impact: Robson’s presence strengthens the Roosters’ spine and improves their ability to generate momentum around the ruck.

Biggest Losers – Roosters

Daniel Tupou

The veteran winger remains sidelined through injury, forcing another reshuffle in the Roosters’ outside backs.

Lindsay Collins

Collins is also unavailable, leaving the Roosters without one of their premier middle forwards and placing greater responsibility on Spencer Leniu and Naufahu Whyte.

Roosters edge defence

Containing Scott Drinkwater whenever he sweeps into the backline remains one of the biggest defensive challenges for Sydney.

Early Betting Verdict

The biggest team list news is Soni Luke replacing Reed Mahoney for the Cowboys, while Tom Dearden remains unavailable, leaving North Queensland without its chief playmaker for another week. The Roosters arrive with a settled spine featuring James Tedesco, Sam Walker, Daly Cherry-Evans and Reece Robson, giving them a significant edge in experience and game management. From a betting perspective, Roosters head-to-head, James Tedesco player markets and Sydney’s attacking spine stand out as the strongest betting angles heading into the clash.

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