Penrith star James Tamou admits he's nervous ahead of his first return to Townsville following his big-money move away from North Queensland last summer.
In a game that is also set to mark Johnathan Thurston's 300th NRL milestone, Tamou will take on the Cowboys for the first time since leaving the club for the Panthers.
And despite helping the club claim its maiden premiership in a memorable grand final against Brisbane in 2015, Tamou is unsure how receptive his old fans will be.
"From leading up to the game to flying into Townsville, I'll be nervous," Tamou told AAP.
"They've got really good fans. Hopefully they don't give it to me too much. They're fanatical up there, I'll just say that. We'll see how we go."
Having spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Cowboys, the 28-year-old admits he has kept a close eye on his former club this season.
And he has been impressed with the output of a front-row that had to regenerate without him, the retired Ben Hannant and the injured Matt Scott.
Tamou reserved special praise for ex-teammate Scott Bolton, who has performed admirably alongside reigning co-Dally M winner Jason Taumalolo.
"Scott Bolton has really stepped up and Johnny Asiata's improving all the time," Tamou said.
"The more experience they get, the better they'll get. And then you've obviously got big Jason Taumalolo, who's just a nightmare.
"Add Michael Morgan, Justin O'Neill and (Thurston), and they're one of the toughest tasks in the league. (Coach) Paul Green has done really well, but I'm looking forward to it."
Like the rest of his Penrith teammates, Tamou is slowly rounding into form as the Panthers look to spoil Thurston's party and extend their winning streak to five.
A win would allow the Panthers to leapfrog the Cowboys into seventh spot.
"I knew from the start it wasn't going to be easy. It was always going to be tough being a new year, and obviously the expectations," Tamou said.
"At the moment, we're going alright but obviously some things can happen with injuries and the like. We've just got to keep doing what we're doing and see how far it takes us."
The Panthers are expected to welcome back veteran hooker Peter Wallace from an elbow injury, while forward James Fisher-Harris could also return from a shoulder problem.
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