The Cowboys’ season of woe continued last Monday night when they let a 16-0 lead evaporate and conceded 26 unanswered points in their loss to the Wests Tigers. The penalty count of 9-2 in favour of the home side did not help the Cowboys’ fortunes, and although young centre Arana Taumata and halfback Johnathan Thurston both turned in strong performances, Neil Henry’s men again struggled to close out a match. Meanwhile, in what was perhaps the club’s most important match this season against fellow top-eight contenders Canberra, the Knights turned in a pathetic display as they limped to a crushing 52-18 defeat in the nation’s capital. An awful defensive effort in the first 20 minutes put the game beyond doubt, and with the Knights’ for-and-against numbers taking a huge blow, it puts them well behind the eight ball. Coach Rick Stone had some harsh words to say about his team’s endeavour, ahead of their season-defining clash in Townsville this Saturday.

Suggested bet: I can see this game going either of two ways: Cowboys by plenty or Knights in a close one. Go the Knights straight out and have a couple of dollars on the Cowboys by 30-plus.