It's not often the Cowboys get embarrassed at home and will want to put a show on for their fans as they return to Townsville.

Last home start, Manly sent the Cowboys packing but returned to the winner's list last week with a win on the Gold Coast. While not all too convincing, Coen Hess put in a match-winning performance and gets rewarded by returning to the bench as Dally M Medallist Jason Taumalolo returns from suspension, with Lachlan Coote also returning from a calf injury.

The Cowboys will be looking to tighten up defensively after they conceded 26 points last week.

As for the Rabbitohs, they will be looking to return to the form that saw them notch up back to back wins in round two and three. Braidon Burns returns to the wing and will look to him for some points after scoring just six last week against the Roosters.

The Cowboys have had an interrupted week due to the tropical cyclone hitting the area but there's no doubting JT will have his men primed and ready to lock them in the top four.

Cowboys by 10.

Cowboys 20 (Michael Morgan, Gideon Gela-Mosby, Shaun Fensom tries; Johnathan Thurston 4 goals) def. Rabbbitohs (Robert Jennings try; Adam Reynolds goal) at 1300 SMILES Stadium. Half-time: 14-0. Crowd: 13,671.