The Cowboys booked their own $60,000 chartered flight after playing Canterbury because flying commercial would not have got them home until late on Sunday afternoon, costing them a full day of preparation.
Newcastle have won just once in their past 12 trips to Townsville – including a golden-point loss in round two – dating back to 2012, and coach Adam O’Brien happily claimed underdog status after downing the Dolphins.
The NRL’s scheduling shift to avoid the GWS clash in Sydney also avoids a Sunday afternoon kick-off in the added daytime heat and humidity of Townsville.
“Recovery’s massive for this one, anything we can get like less travel helps because it’s a tough trip and a hostile environment up there, it’s a tough place to win,” Knights prop Daniel Saifiti said of the late scheduling change.
“I’m not too fussed, it’s the same team at the same stadium no matter the day or the time. Obviously it’s a bit hotter during the day, so the night game as a front-rower is probably preferable for me, but it is what it is either way.”
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Cronulla’s defeat of Manly locked Canterbury into sixth place and a home semi-final at Accor Stadium, delivering the NRL a financial windfall that could translate to an added $1 million in gate takings, given an extra 30,000 fans are expected to attend compared to a sell-out on the northern beaches.
The week one scheduling change does raise recovery issues in week two as well though.
The winner of the Bulldogs-Sea Eagles clash will have two fewer days to recover for their semi-final against the loser of the Panthers and Roosters, who will kick off the finals series at Penrith Park on Friday night.
While Cleary returns to the Panthers’ scrumbase, the Roosters welcome back wingers Dominic Young and Daniel Tupou, and front-rower Lindsay Collins after the trio was rested last weekend.
Papenhuyzen replaces the injured Sua Fa’alogo (hamstring) at the back for Melbourne as Christian Welch also returns from illness, while Tom Trbojevic’s return against Canterbury shifts Lehi Hopoate to the wing.
Jeral Skelton also replaces Josh Addo-Carr for the Bulldogs following his withdrawal after allegedly testing positive to cocaine in a roadside drug test.
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