“They folded”: Why rugby league great doubts Cowboys' finals credentials

Rugby league legend and SEN host Greg Alexander believes no Queensland teams will have a major impact on this year’s finals series despite two clubs sitting inside the top eight.

With the season of last year’s grand finalists the Brisbane Broncos hanging by a thread, the Dolphins face a tough run home to play finals for the first time, while the inconsistent form of the North Queensland Cowboys has experts doubting they can win come September.

Alexander said the Cowboys being upset by the Broncos in Townsville after a 36-0 second half has him doubting their credentials in the finals.

“The Cowboys were very disappointing after getting to an 18-6 lead, and they’ve been so hit and miss the Cowboys this year, they’ve got points in them but folded against the Broncos last week,” he said on SENQ Breakfast.

“Even if the Cowboys make it, I don’t know how much damage they’re going to do when they get there because they’ve just been so inconsistent.”

The Penrith Panthers and New South Wales Blues legend also doubted Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins would stay in the top eight with their remaining schedule.

“I don’t know if the Dolphins make it, I know they’ve jumped into the eighth spot but they do have a tough run,” he said.

“The Dogs, Storm, Broncos and Newcastle – that’s difficult.”

While the Broncos, who have a bye this weekend, remain a mathematical chance to play finals football, Alexander said he expected the Cowboys to be the only Queensland side to feature in the post-season.

“(The) Cowboys might be the only ones that make it, Broncos still an outside chance but outside,” he said.

“Depends on what happens with those teams sitting eighth and ninth now with the Dragons and Dolphins – if they can get a win or two and get to 30 points it makes it very tough for the Broncos.”

The Dolphins take on the Bulldogs on Saturday on the road while North Queensland host the Canberra Raiders.