That the Cowboys play at home on their Dungowan Recreation Reserve is a consolation.

They will also meet a Bears outfit transitioning after the loss of some of their major stars.

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However the Cowboys will be without one of their own key men.

Captain-coach Shaun Ferguson is "struggling" with a knee injury he sustained this year and will "enjoy" watching and steering his side from the sideline.

His biggest task will be to mould a new-look side with the addition of talented young fullback Trent Taylor, returning prop Jason Allwood, Moree centre Shannon Swan, back-rower Dylan Manicaros and young hooker Clay Frendin.

Allwood, nicknamed Big Bear, could be a huge addition for the Cowboys.

"He hasn't played for 13 years," Ferguson said of the player who, like Ferguson, learned his game at Farrer.

"He's a fair footballer. If we can get a bit of match fitness into him he will be one of the dominating props in Group 4.

"He's got a fair motor and is one of the old-school footballers."

Ferguson is also hoping the experienced Matt Wilson and Shannon Swan will form a good halves combination although he realises Swan, usually a centre, might take some time to adjust to his new role.

He's also hoping Taylor, an ex-Farrer student who starred for the Greater Northern under-18 side two years ago, can provide the spark out wide.

"It looks like we will have a real sharp backline," Ferguson added.

Sharp is exactly how you describe Taylor, the son of former premiership-winning player and coach Luke Taylor.

Taylor, who works at the Longyard Hotel, possesses lightning speed that can rip any side apart.

In No 13 Lochie Collins, the Cowboys have a fair dinkum competitor.

The undersized lock plays above his weight in effort and enthusiasm.

Jarrett, normally a back-rower, will start at prop on Sunday and will try to give the side some go-forward, Ferguson said.

"He'll be good for the young blokes in the side," he said of the talented and experienced Jarrett.

Dungowan: 1 Trent Taylor, 2 Mitch Bowen, 3 Ethan Collins, 4 Brad Brooks, 5 Liam Mack, 6 Shannon Swan, 7 Matt Wilson, 8 Jason Allwood, 9 Clay Frendin, 10 Brett Jarrett, 11 Dylan Manacaros, 12 Zac Parker, 13 Lochie Collins, 14 Josh Sweeney, 15 Jamie Carroll, 16 John Marau, 17 Kieren Croft. Coach: Shaun Ferguson.

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