NRL 2022, North Queensland Cowboys v Penrith Panthers round 25 preview, team lists, updates, ins and outs

The Cowboys are chasing a home final in Townsville. They are second in the NRL on 36 points. If they beat the defending champions on Saturday, they will join the second-placed Sharks on 38 points and then cheer for an upset win by the Knights over Cronulla on Sunday.

Tom Dearden is called into the Cowboys starting side an hour before kick-off. Reuben Cotter joins the starting team and Griffin Neame comes onto the bench. Coen Hess will miss the game due to suspension. Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton, Izack Tago, Taylan May, Jarome Luai, Moses Leota, James Fisher-Harris, Viliame Kikau and Isaah Yeo are out. Api Koroisau, Spencer Leniu and James Fiske are injured. Scott Sorensen is back from a calf injury in the second row. Matt Eisenhuth and Mitch Kenny move into starting line-up. Charlie Staines gets another run at fullback and Sunia Turuva is on the wing. Thomas Jenkins makes his NRL debut at centre. Liam Henry and Jack Cole are on bench and Mavrik Geyer is 18th Man.

Chad Townsend and Sean O'Sullivan are the players to watch in round 25. North Queensland Cowboys are on a remarkable transformation. O’Sullivan has done a fine job keeping the No.7 jersey warm in Nathan Cleary's absence.

Jeremiah Nanai has scored 17 tries this season. He is third on the NRL's try-scoring list behind Alex Johnston and Corey Oates. Hudson Young is next best on 11.