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North Queensland Cowboys vs Dolphins Tips - Phins to cover the line in NRL derby

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
Dolphins have won 6 out of their last 9 games
Cowboys struggling, winning only 1 of their last 5 games

Expired

Cowboys host Dolphins on Saturday (Photo by Getty Images)

North Queensland Cowboys vs Dolphins Preview

The Dolphins have been on fire over the last month or so, coming into this clash with six wins from their last nine games. I'm backing them to cover the line with Herbie Farnworth tipped in the tryscorer markets.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Dolphins Preview
Head To Head
North Queensland Cowboys Form
North Queensland Cowboys Team News
North Queensland Cowboys Team List
Dolphins Form
Dolphins Team News
Dolphins Team List

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

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.

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

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.

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

North Queensland Cowboys v Dolphins

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.

Dolphins -5.5

Line

@9/10 - 3 Units

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Over 49.5

Total Points

@9/10 - 2 Units

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Herbie Farnworth

Anytime Tryscorer

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Herbie Farnworth

First Tryscorer

@9/1 - 1 Unit

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