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North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos NRL Tips - Broncos set for sixth straight win over Cows

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 28 Aug 2025 11:32

Andrew Hendrie 28 Aug 2025

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North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos expert predictions for Saturday's NRL Round 26 game
Kick off is at 7.35pm AEST at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Broncos chasing sixth straight win over Cowboys with top four finish still on the cards
Jaxon Purdue is scoring almost every week at centre - back him for another meat pie
Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bets

North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos NRL Tips

North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos, NRL Round 26 - Expert Prediction

The Broncos could potentially break into the top four with a win over rivals the Cowboys to conclude Super Saturday action in Townsville.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos, NRL Round 26 - Expert Prediction
Head To Head
North Queensland Cowboys Form Analysis
North Queensland Cowboys Team News
North Queensland Cowboys Team List
Brisbane Broncos Form Analysis
Brisbane Broncos Team News
Brisbane Broncos Team List

Cowboys vs Broncos Round 26 NRL Cheat Sheet

If the Warriors fall to the Eels on Friday night, then the Broncos know a win would propel them into the all-important top four, handing them control of their own destiny heading into the final round. Despite hamstring injuries to halves pairing Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam, the Broncos have taken care of business in their last two games, easing to big wins over the Dolphins and Knights, while they've now scored a whopping 144 points in their last three victories. Reece Walsh, when he plays within himself, is arguably the most destructive player in the game and he'll be keen to make a big impact again here.

North Queensland fans will be incredibly frustrated that their side is winning now that their finals chances have been dashed, but I'm going to need to see more than two victories over the Knights and Tigers. The Cowboys have lost their last eight games vs top eight teams, so they have been repeatedly outclassed by the elite sides in 2025.

Back the Broncos to win by a converted try and for Over 50.5 total points - both sides have been piling on the points lately and Townsville fixtures are no strangers to high-scoring affairs. Jaxon Purdue has been hugely prolific at centre all season and will fancy himself to cross for another four-pointer.

Broncos have won the last five meetings between the pair
Broncos have won three of their last four games
Broncos have scored 144 points in their last three wins
Cowboys have lost their last eight games vs top eight teams
Over 50.5 points has landed in three of the Broncos' last four games
50+ points has been scored six times at Queensland Country Bank Stadium this season
Jaxon Purdue has scored at least one try in nine of his last 10 games when starting at centre. Purdue also crossed in his most-recent appearance vs Broncos earlier this season

Head To Head

There was a time when games between these sides were decided by one or two points on the regular. However, the Broncos have gained a stranglehold on this rivalry in recent times, winning the last five encounters by 10+ points - including a 26-16 triumph back in Round 3 earlier this year.

North Queensland Cowboys Form Analysis

It's a case of too little, too late for the Cowboys.

There's no doubt the Cowboys are a top eight team at their best, but their form fluctuates wildly from week to week and at the end of the day, they simply don't have the consistency.

North Queensland are ending the season positively, winning three of their last five games - including back-to-back triumphs over the Knights and Tigers, coming back to score 18 points in the final 14 minutes in the latter last week.

North Queensland Cowboys Team News

Todd Payten has named the same 17 players that came back to beat the Tigers 34-28 last week.

North Queensland Cowboys Team List

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Semi Valemei

3. Jaxon Purdue

4. Viliami Vailea

5. Braidon Burns

6. Jake Clifford

7. Tom Dearden

8. Jordan McLean

9. Reece Robson

10. Jason Taumalolo

11. John Bateman

12. Jeremiah Nanai

13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange

14. Zac Laybutt

15. Karl Lawton

16. Harrison Edwards

17. Thomas Mikaele

Reserves

18. Kai O’Donnell

19. Marly Bitungane

20. Nicholas Lenaz

21. Jaxson Paulo

22. Kaiden Lahrs

Brisbane Broncos Form Analysis

When Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam went down in almost the same second with hamstring injuries in the loss to Melbourne, it appeared as if the Broncos' finals chances were in serious jeopardy.

However, to their credit, Brisbane have knuckled down and won both of their subsequent games against the Dolphins (38-28) and Knights (46-12), with Ben Hunt filling in seamlessly at halfback.

Reece Walsh, unsurprisingly, has stepped up to lead his side in attack, while Kotoni Staggs is arguably in career-best form, scoring five tries in his last four games.

Brisbane have now secured finals football, but the top four is still well within striking distance - and if the Warriors lose and Michael Maguire's side win, they will head into Round 27 in fourth spot.

Brisbane Broncos Team News

Back-rower Brendan Piakura returns from concussion on the bench, pushing Jesse Arthars to 18th man. Adam Reynolds has been named on the extended bench as he edges closer to a return.

Brisbane Broncos Team List

1. Reece Walsh

2. Josiah Karapani

3. Kotoni Staggs

4. Gehamat Shibasaki

5. Deine Mariner

6. Billy Walters

7. Ben Hunt

8. Corey Jensen

9. Cory Paix

10. Payne Haas

11. Jaiyden Hunt

12. Jordan Riki

13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange

14. Tyson Smoothy

15. Kobe Hetherington

16. Ben Talty

17. Brendan Piakura

Reserves

18. Jesse Arthars

19. Fletcher Baker

20. Delouise Hoeter

21. Jock Madden

22. Adam Reynolds

Verdict

North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos

The Broncos are backed to keep their top four chances alive, beating the Cowboys and covering a -4.5 line in a game expected to exceed 50.5 total points.

Jaxon Purdue is as prolific as they come in the centres and can cross for another try.

Broncos -4.5

Line

$1.92 - 3 Units

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