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North Queensland Cowboys vs Dolphins NRL Tips - Phins' blistering attack to conquer struggling Cows

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: 12 Jun 2025
Andrew Hendrie 12 Jun 2025
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  • North Queensland Cowboys vs Dolphins expert predictions for Saturday's NRL Round 15 game
  • Kick off is at 7.35pm AEST at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
  • Dolphins have won three of their last four games, including a 56-6 blitz of the Dragons last week
  • Cowboys have just one win in their last five games
  • Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bets
North Queensland Cowboys vs Dolphins NRL Tips


North Queensland Cowboys vs Dolphins, NRL Round 15 - Expert Prediction


It'll be Phins Up in Townsville as the Cowboys succumb to another attacking onslaught from the Dolphins in a high-scoring affair on Saturday night.

  • North Queensland Cowboys vs Dolphins, NRL Round 15 - Expert Prediction
  • Head To Head
  • North Queensland Cowboys Form Analysis & Betting Trends
  • Recent Form
  • 2025 Betting Trends
  • North Queensland Cowboys Team News
  • North Queensland Cowboys Team List
  • Dolphins Form Analysis & Betting Trends
  • Recent Form
  • 2025 Betting Trends
  • Dolphins Team News
  • Dolphins Team List
The Dolphins have been on fire over the last month or so, coming into this clash with six wins from their last nine games - including a last-start 56-6 demolition of the Dragons.

Herbie Farnworth scored the first and last try to continue his sensational run of form, while fellow backs Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jamayne Isaako also crossed for doubles. The Dolphins will now look to continue their blistering form by improving to 3-0 over the Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

North Queensland continue to run hot and cold this season - they lost their opening three games of the season, went on a four-game winning streak and have now tasted victory just once in their last five outings. Both teams have been involved in some high-scoring games lately, so the Dolphins to secure another victory in an entertaining clash are the main plays for Saturday night.

  • Dolphins have won six of their last nine games
  • Dolphins are coming off a 56-6 thumping of the Dragons last week
  • Dolphins have won both previous meetings vs Cowboys in Townsville
  • Cowboys have won just one of their last five games
  • Five of the Dolphins' six wins in 2025 have covered a -5.5 line
  • Five of the Cowboys' six defeats in 2025 have failed to cover a +5.5 line
  • Dolphins have seen Over 49.5 points in five of their last seven games
  • Cowboys have seen Over 49.5 points in five of their last six games
  • Three of the four previous meetings have seen Over 49.5 points
  • Herbie Farnworth has scored at least one try in his last seven games

Head To Head


The four previous encounters have been split at two wins apiece, with the away team prevailing in all four. The Dolphins came away with a narrow 28-26 victory in the most-recent clash in Round 9 last year, with Valentine Holmes and Scott Drinkwater missing a conversion attempt and penalty goal in the 79th and 80th minutes in a bid to send the game into golden point.

North Queensland Cowboys Form Analysis & Betting Trends


Recent Form


Last 5 W/LLast 5 ATSLast 5 O/U
1-41-44-1

It's been a wildly inconsistent season for the Cowboys and coach Todd Payten gave his team an almighty spray following last week's 38-14 defeat on the road to Melbourne.

The Cowboys went on a four-game winning streak the last time Payten swung the axe, but I'm not sure if lightning can strike twice in that regard.

When they get it right, the Cowboys can beat any team in the competition, but their defence remains a liability and that area of their game continues to let them down.

Even in their one win over the last month, the Cowboys were almost chased down by an embattled Tigers side at home, so there's a big of soul-searching to be done in Townsville.

2025 Betting Trends


ATSOver/Under1-1213+
6-67-54-21-4

North Queensland Cowboys Team News


Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Reece Robson and Jeremiah Nanai are all out due to Origin, while John Bateman and Viliami Vailea are both suspended.

Murray Taulagi (calf), Kai O'Donnell (back) and Jason Taumalolo (calf) return from injury, while Braidon Burns, Jake Clifford, Thomas Mikaele and debutant Kaiden Lahrs come into the side.

North Queensland Cowboys Team List


1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Robert Derby
3. Zac Laybutt
4. Braidon Burns
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Jaxon Purdue
7. Jake Clifford
8. Jordan McLean
9. Karl Lawton
10. Coen Hess
11. Sam McIntyre
12. Kai O’Donnell
13. Jason Taumalolo

Interchange
14. Harrison Edwards
15. Thomas Mikaele
16. Griffin Neame
17. Kaiden Lahrs

Reserves
18. Thomas Duffy
19. Semi Valemei
20. Jaxson Paulo
21. Marly Bitungane
22. Mason Kira

Dolphins Form Analysis & Betting Trends


Recent Form


Last 5 W/LLast 5 ATSLast 5 O/U
3-23-23-2

After a slow start to the season in which they lost their opening four games, the Dolphins have exploded to transform into one of the form teams in the competition.

Indeed, the Dolphins have now scored the third-most points in the NRL behind the Storm and Raiders, coming into this clash with three wins from their last four to climb into the top eight.

The Phins have scored exactly 100 points in their last two outings, upsetting the table-topping Bulldogs 44-8 in torrential rain before the bye and last week's 56-6 humiliation of the Dragons.

Isaiya Katoa continues to cement himself as one of the game's rising stars and the halfback will be keen to orchestrate another try-a-thon against a depleted Cowboys side here.

2025 Betting Trends


ATSOver/Under1-1213+
8-55-81-65-1

Dolphins Team News


Jake Averillo moves to fullback and Max Feagai comes into the centres with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow away on Origin duty for Queensland. Ray Stone is also back on the bench to replace the injured Max Plath.

Dolphins Team List


1. Jake Averillo
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Max Feagai
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Jack Bostock
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Francis Molo
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Felise Kaufusi
11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
12. Oryn Keeley
13. Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange
14. Ray Stone
15. Connelly Lemuelu
16. Mark Nicholls
17. Josh Kerr

Reserves
18. Sean O’Sullivan
19. Aublix Tawha
20. Harrison Graham
21. Tevita Naufahu
22. Junior Tupou

Verdict

Expect plenty of points and another Dolphins win against a Cowboys players missing six of their regular starters.

Herbie Farnworth has been on fire and can cross for an eighth straight game.

Best Bet1: Dolphins -5.5 Line $1.90 at picklebet - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Over 49.5 Total Points $1.90 at Elitebet - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Herbie Farnworth Anytime Tryscorer $1.95 at dabble - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Herbie Farnworth First Tryscorer $10.00 at dabble - 1 Unit
Dolphins -5.5
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North Queensland Cowboys v Dolphins