Tate says Dogs clash a must win for “Jekyll and Hyde” Cowboys

North Queensland legend Brent Tate believes this week’s clash with the rising Canterbury Bulldogs is a must win for the “Jekyll and Hyde” Cowboys, who can secure a home final with a victory.

The Cowboys currently sit in sixth spot but with teams, such as the Sydney Roosters, suffering injuries to key players, the path for teams outside the top four to make a run at the premiership has opened up even more.

Tate, who played 67 games for North Queensland, said the Cowboys needed a home final to have the best chance of a run at a second title.

“I think it’s really important, because when you’ve got to be up those four weeks, it does take its toll and I just think if you can have a home semi, stay at home, have that routine you have when you’re in your own environment, I think it’s vitally important,” he said on SENQ Mornings.

“There’s a lot to play for, for the Cowboys this week and I think that’s going to be the challenge for them, every time there’s been something to play for, they’ve fallen short so I’m really interested to see this time of year how they all aim up.

“I thought after the Canberra game the Cowboys had turned a bit of a corner, I thought the change with Jake Clifford coming into the halves made a real difference to them but I must admit I was a little bit disappointed with their performance against the storm.

“The Jekyll and Hyde of the Cowboys, you just don’t know what you’re going to get with them each week at the moment.

“At their best they could really give this competition a real shake, especially with the injuries to the Roosters and that sort of thing, they’ve definitely got a side that can do it but again you’ve got to pay a price to win a grand final and I just don’t know whether they can do that week in and week out for the next five weeks.

“That’s the challenge in front of them and it’s there to do it.”

Tate said the task this Saturday against the Bulldogs wouldn’t be easy either with Cameron Ciraldo’s side earning their way back into the finals.

“The Dogs remind me of the Dolphins a little bit in the fact that you’ve got to play really well to beat them every week, they just don’t beat themselves,” he said.

“They’ve been the big improvers this year, it’s going to be a big task for them to go down there and play the Bulldogs because they’re riding a wave of emotion as well with their crowds at the moment.”

Kick-off between the Bulldogs and Cowboys is at 5.30pm Saturday at Accor Stadium.