Tips: Axed star stranded by new half’s perfect scenario

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The Cowboys could seal a home final by beating an understrength Storm side on Thursday night, setting them up as a “dangerous” floater in the playoffs, thanks in part to a surprise axing.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and The Eighth, Brad Fittler wondered aloud if veteran halfback Chad Townsend could make his way back into the side in time for finals but conceded that his replacement, Jake Clifford, has “killed it” since being called into the side.
“In the five games I reckon he’s played recently, he killed it against the Roosters, killed it against Penrith, killed it against (the Raiders) and against the Bulldogs, who no one else has beaten (recently). He’s going good,” Fittler said.
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Townsend was a surprise axing from the Cowboys line-up after their heavy round 23 loss to the Broncos, with Clifford joining Tom Dearden as a fresh halves pairing the following week, when they thrashed the Raiders 42-4.
Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt celebrates after scoring a try during the round 24 match against the Raiders at Qld Country Bank Stadium. Getty
Another strong outing against minor premiers Melbourne, who have rested 11 topline players for their trip to North Queensland, could just about seal Clifford’s place in the team until the end of their playoffs run, potentially ending Townsend’s Cowboys career after he signed a one-year deal to join the Roosters in 2025.
While the Storm have left home many of their best players, including Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant, Craig Bellamy has included Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen, who are still in need of game time before the finals having battled serious injuries in 2024.
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Both Johns and Fittler tipped the Cowboys to do the job, citing the returns of Jeremiah Nanai and Jason Taumalolo to the side as a huge boost ahead of the playoffs.
The Cowboys will finish the regular season with a visit to the Bulldogs next week, in a match that could decide who finishes fifth.
Scroll below for the current leaderboard and Round 26 tips by all Nine’s expert tipsters!
Nine’s NRL tipping leaderboard. Nine
Andrew Johns: Cowboys, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Eels, Broncos, Sharks, Knights, Roosters
Brad Fittler: Cowbows, Bulldogs, Panthers, Eels, Dolphins, Sharks Knights, Roosters
Paul Gallen: Cowbows, Bulldogs, Panthers, Dragons, Broncos, Sharks, Knights, Roosters
Allana Ferguson: Cowboys, Bulldogs, Panthers, Dragons, Broncos, Sharks, Knights, Roosters
Darren Lockyer: Cowboys, Bulldogs, Panthers, Dragons, Broncos, Sharks, Knights, Roosters
Ruan Sims: Storm, Bulldogs, Panthers, Dragons, Dolphins, Sharks, Knights, Roosters
Wally Lewis: Cowboys, Bulldogs, Panthers, Dragons, Broncos, Sharks, Knights, Roosters
Mat Thompson: Cowboys, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Dragons, Broncos, Sharks, Knights, Roosters
Peter Psaltis: Cowboys, Bulldogs, Panthers, Eels, Broncos, Sharks, Knights, Roosters
David Middleton: Cowboys, Bulldogs, Panthers, Dragons, Broncos, Sharks, Knights, Roosters
Ben Glover: Cowboys, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Eels, Broncos, Sharks, Knights, Roosters