The depth of North Queensland and the Dolphins will be tested, with suspension, injury and State of Origin cutting a swathe through the ranks of both teams.
The Cowboys welcome back inspirational forward Jason Taumalolo and Queensland winger Murray Taulagi for their home clash with the Dolphins on Saturday night.
The Cowboys have lost Reece Robson, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai to Origin, while John Bateman and Viliame Vailea are suspended.
The Dolphins have been smashed by long-term injuries to key forwards Tom Gilbert, Max Plath and Daniel Saifiti, but have still found a way to ninth place on the ladder, just one point behind the Cowboys.
They will also be without Maroons outside back Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten has given a debut to 19-year-old front-rower Kaiden Lahrs, son of former Test and Origin prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs. Cowboys prop Jordan McLean played alongside Tom at Melbourne and will now line up with his son in a rare double.
"Kaiden has been around the game since he was a kid. He has worked really hard off the back of a couple of shoulder reconstructions," Payten said.
"I have a high opinion of him and he has come a long way. He has a short stint in him of fire and brimstone. Just run hard and tackle hard, keep moving and enjoy the occasion."
The return of Taumalolo and Taulagi has lifted the Cowboys.
"There is energy amongst the group and everyone is super-keen to give it our best shot, and it is good to have those two back and certainly some experience," Payten said.
"We have missed Jase's go-forward and punch through the middle and Muz with his talk and connection on the edge."
Meanwhile, Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said lock Plath would see a specialist about a suspected ruptured ACL in last week's win over St George Illawarra.
"Even though Max hasn't seen a specialist we are prepared for the worst," Woolf said.
"If there is something that's better that'd be great, but I don't think it'll be the case.
"It gives other guys opportunities.
"(Forwards) like Kurt Donoghoe, Oryn Keeley and Connelly (Lemuelu) are getting to play more of a role and growing in their roles.
"We don't want to lose good players, but I love the way the other guys are taking their opportunities with both hands."
Versatile Donoghoe did a great job at lock last week and will again be given the chance to wear the No.13 jersey.
"He's a guy that I trust enormously," Woolf said.
"We know the effort he'll put in every week. He can play multiple positions.
"He will play nine and 13 for us going forward and is a guy that keeps delivering."
Keeley is another young gun to start making his mark in the back row.
"Last year he was playing Queensland Cup and playing in a successful Norths team. He looked a bit too good for that competition," Woolf said.
"He looked ready to play NRL but had a disrupted pre-season with a broken foot.
"He's a lot more prepared now and has some tough games under his belt.
"I love the enthusiasm and the way he's gone about his opportunity."
