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Dolphins vs North QLD Cowboys NRL Round 20 Tips - Phins to put big dent in Cowboys finals hopes

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: Tue 15 Jul 2025 20:40

Ryan Tucker 15 Jul 2025

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Dolphins vs North QLD Cowboys expert predictions for Thursday’s Round 20 NRL game
Kick off is at 7:50 PM (AEST) at Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins vs Cowboys is crucial for finals.
Dolphins have strong scoring record at Suncorp.
Cowboys struggle with defense and errors.

Dolphins vs North QLD Cowboys NRL Round 20 Tips

Dolphins vs North QLD Cowboys, Round 20 2025 - Expert Prediction

This game is extremely important in the context of finals. The Dolphins have more on the line and will put the ringer through a bad North QLD defensive unit.

Dolphins vs North QLD Cowboys, Round 20 2025 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head
Dolphins Form Analysis
Dolphins Team News
Dolphins Team List
North QLD Cowboys Form Analysis
North QLD Cowboys Team News
North QLD Cowboys Team List
Dolphins vs North QLD Cowboys NRL 2025 Round 20 FAQ’s

The Cowboys kept the Dogs to only 12 points last weekend but it wasn’t because their defence was good. They had allowed an average of a tick under 30 pts per game to their opponents prior to that matchup which had ballooned to 37.6 pts per game in their last 5.

The Dolphins were hamstrung in their attack against the Sharks last Friday night, severely missing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Kodi Nikorima. It will take some time for the new halves pairing to adjust but with Hammer having a rest following a brilliant Origin campaign he will be ready and raring to go this week.

Dolphins vs Cowboys Rd 20 Cheat Sheet

The Cowboys allow the most linebreaks of any team in the league and allow their opponents to convert chances inside 20m zone at an alarming rate. The Dolphins are the 2nd best scoring team, they get into scoring position better than almost any other team in the NRL and average over 30pts per game at Suncorp Stadium this year.

Take the Dolphins to win 13+, go Over their Team Total and Herbie Farnworth to cross for a 4-pointer!

The Dolphins are 2nd in Points Scored this season and average 32.5 per game at Suncorp in 2025.
7 of the Dolphins 8 wins have been with 13+ margins, 6 of the Cowboys 10 losses have also been 13+.
The Cowboys allow the most Linebreaks of any team in the NRL and are 2nd last in opposition Try Scoring Efficiency.
The Cowboys right side defence has allowed 53% of all opposition tries this season, Herbie Farnworth has scored 11 tries in the NRL in 2025.

Head to Head

These two teams have played 5 head to head matches with the Dolphins leading 3-2 which includes the last 2 in a row. The matchup earlier this season in North QLD finished 58-4 in favour of the Dolphins.

4 of the last 5 games have gone Over the Game Total with the winning margin being 13+ in 3 of 5 matchups.

Dolphins Form Analysis

The Phins wave of momentum was dealt a big blow on Friday night with a crushing 24-12 defeat at the hands of the Cronulla Sharks. 2 losses in their last 3 games means the Dolphins are outside the 8 looking in with Cronulla now having +1 in the win column in a congested 6-10 tier of the ladder.

The Dolphins played well in the first half, as they have done in the majority of their games this season but the defence in the second term was left wanting as the Sharks converted a majority of possession and territory into points.

They still have the 2nd best points differential of any team in the league, so as long as they keep winning in parity with other teams around them then they are a chance at a maiden finals berth come September.

Dolphins Team News

With the Hammer back at his usual fullback position, Jake Averillo reverts to the wing. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has broken his thumb and is replaced in the starting side by Connelly Lemuelu.

Mark Nicholls is in concussion protocol with Harrison Graham and Peter Hola joining the interchange.

Dolphins Team List

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

2. Jamayne Isaako

3. Max Feagai

4. Herbie Farnworth

5. Jake Averillo

6. Sean O'Sullivan

7. Isaiya Katoa

8. Francis Molo

9. Jeremy Marshall-King

10. Aublix Tawha

11. Connelly Lemuelu

12. Oryn Keeley

13. Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange

14. Harrison Graham

15. Ray Stone

16. Josh Kerr

17. Peter Hola

Reserves

18. Tevita Naufahu

19. Kenny Bromwich

20. LJ Nonu

21. Trai Fuller

22. Ryan Jackson

North QLD Cowboys Form Analysis

North QLD looked like they might pull off the upset of the round in a tight contest with the Bulldogs last weekend but eventually went down 12-8. There was a major momentum swing with only a few minutes left in the first half which saw a Cowboys try disallowed for a double movement. The Dogs then put on 2 tries in 4 minutes to take a 12-8 lead into the break which stayed the course of the game.

The Cowboys were hampered by their ill-discipline both in committing penalties but also in handling errors and bad decision making, trying to force their hand instead of building pressure.

They are the 2nd worst team in the NRL in Errors and this time around it clearly cost them the 2 pts. With 7 games remaining (and a rd27 bye) they would need to go undefeated to keep their destiny in their own hands but are still a mathematical chance should they drop 1 or 2.

North QLD Cowboys Team News

Jordan McLean is out with Thomas Mikaele to start up front. Kaiden Lahrs returns to the interchange bench. Robert Derby has been omitted in favour of Jaxson Paulo on the wing.

Jake Clifford and John Bateman remain on the sidelines with injury.

North QLD Cowboys Team List

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Jaxson Paulo

3. Braidon Burns

4. Zac Laybutt

5. Murray Taulagi

6. Jaxon Purdue

7. Tom Dearden

8. Thomas Mikaele

9. Reece Robson

10. Griffin Neame

11. Reuben Cotter

12. Jeremiah Nanai

13. Harrison Edwards

Interchange

14. Karl Lawton

15. Kaiden Lahrs

16. Kai O'Donnell

17. Coen Hess

Reserves

18. Ryan Rivett

19. Robert Derby

20. Temple Kalepo

21. Marly Bitungane

22. Dane Aukafolau

Dolphins vs North QLD Cowboys NRL 2025 Round 20 FAQ’s

How to watch Dolphins vs North QLD Cowboys NRL 2025 Round 20?

You can watch the Dolphins vs North QLD Cowboys NRL 2025 Round 20 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Dolphins vs North QLD Cowboys NRL 2025 Round 20?

To buy tickets to the Dolphins vs North QLD Cowboys NRL 2025 Round 20 game check the NRL website or the official Dolphins site.

Verdict

Dolphins v North QLD Cowboys

Take the Dolphins to win 13+, go Over their Team Total and Herbie Farnworth to cross for a 4-pointer!

Dolphins 13+

Winning Margin

$2.70 - 3 Units

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Dolphins Over 26.5

Team Total

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