North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL Tips - Cowboys target upset over vulnerable Dogs

I'm keen to chase some value here.

To use a tennis analogy, have Canterbury and Gus made a massive unforced error? They were flying high at the top of the table and team morale was at an all-time high. However, the arrival of Lachlan Galvin has undoubtedly disrupted their rhythm, with key spine members Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney announcing they would be leaving the club at the end of the season. Players have been forced to switch positions mid-match to accomodate Galvin coming off the bench and it's clearly something the Bulldogs are still trying to find a solution for. There's a lot of negative energy and media attention on the Dogs right now - and they collapsed last week to concede 18 points in the last 20 minutes against Brisbane.

The Cowboys are wildly inconsistent, but that could just work in our favour here. They've lost four of their last five games, but could be up for this one as their finals hopes hang in the balance. North Queensland thumped Canterbury by 38 points towards the end of last season and their Maroons stars will be buzzing and full of confidence returning to the side following their brilliant Origin 3 triumph mid-week. Tom Dearden was the hero for Queensland, crossing for a double, along with taking out Man of the Match and Wally Lewis Player of the Series accolades, so why not back the in-form halfback to continue his memorable week with another four-pointer here...

The Cowboys have won six of the last eight encounters between the teams, including a dominant 44-6 triumph at Accor Stadium in Round 27 last year.

It's almost do-or-die for the Cowboys as they come into this clash down in 12th spot on the ladder, three points adrift of the top eight.

North Queensland have only managed two wins since Round 8 - and they've come against the lowly Tigers and Titans.

Clearly Todd Payten's side need some considerable improvement if they are to make a late finals charge, but they have a team of players capable of producing some blistering late-season performances.

The Cowboys battled bravely, but were ultimately defeated 26-20 by the Storm last week in a game where both sides were hit hard by Origin.

Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson have all been named to back up from Origin.

Karl Lawton returns from suspension on the bench, but forwards Sam McIntyre (calf) and John Bateman (groin) are sidelined.

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Robert Derby

3. Jaxon Purdue

4. Zac Laybutt

5. Braidon Burns

6. Jake Clifford

7. Tom Dearden

8. Jordan McLean

9. Reece Robson

10. Griffin Neame

11. Reuben Cotter

12. Jeremiah Nanai

13. Harrison Edwards

14. Karl Lawton

15. Thomas Mikaele

16. Kai O’Donnell

17. Coen Hess

18. Ryan Rivett

19. Temple Kalepo

20. Kaiden Lahrs

21. Dane Aukafolau

22. Murray Taulagi

23. Marly Bitungane

24. Jaxson Paulo

The Bulldogs have suffered some heartbreaking defeats over their last two games, slipping to third on the ladder and with various question marks surrounding the side heading into the back-half of the season.

It's not like Canterbury are in any sort of crisis, let's be clear - they have lost by two and four points to the Panthers and Broncos, two sides who at their best could easily feature in the Grand Final.

However, it's the manner in which the Bulldogs lost last week against Brisbane, giving up an 18-0 lead and Lachlan Galvin making several errors as the teenager started in the halves.

Unless Galvin steps up and the Bulldogs get back to their best, there's going to be a lot of scrutiny on the side moving forward.

Galvin drops back to the bench as Stephen Crichton returns from Origin in the centres and Matt Burton goes back to five-eighth. Max King, Kurt Mann and NSW 18th man Jacob Kiraz have also been named.

Marcelo Montoya has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a neck injury, so Enari Tuala keeps his spot on the wing.

1. Connor Tracey

2. Jacob Kiraz

3. Bronson Xerri

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Enari Tuala

6. Matt Burton

7. Toby Sexton

8. Max King

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Samuel Hughes

11. Viliame Kikau

12. Jacob Preston

13. Bailey Hayward

14. Kurt Mann

15. Harry Hayes

16. Josh Curran

17. Lachlan Galvin

19. Jake Turpin

20. Jaeman Salmon

21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

22. Kurtis Morrin

23. Blake Wilson

24. Jethro Rinakama

25. Jack Todd