James Tamou believes some NRL teams are beaten before they set foot in Townsville, with a road trip to North Queensland to face the premiers now arguably the toughest in rugby league.
Three of the past four sides to visit 1300 Smiles Stadium have copped rugby league lessons and not registered a point in reply.
The Cowboys are 3-0 at home this year and have outscored visiting teams 96-14 ahead of their round seven clash against South Sydney on Friday.
"I think teams come up here and feel they are already beaten when they take the field so that makes it a lot easier on us," Cowboys and NSW prop Tamou told reporters on Tuesday.
"Obviously the weather comes into it and we have made a stand to make sure we can be better at home.
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"Opposition teams will start the first 10 minutes okay but then after that they will look sluggish and start walking, they are not putting their heads up.
"And sometimes later in the season you get teams up there that just can't wait to finish and get back home."
The Cowboys have an 11-4 home record since the start of last season. Only Brisbane, who are 12-3 for the same period at Suncorp Stadium, boast a better equation on their own turf.
"Teams come up here and we have a target on us but to hold teams to nil in the NRL is a big thing. You don't see it too often these days," Tamou said.
"Souths are going to be a lot harder. They have a lot of attacking prowess in their forward pack and their backline.
Tamou, who is off contract at season's end, said he was keeping a distance from his manager while his future was sorted.
"I haven't heard anything from Sam Ayoub and I would rather it that way," he said.
"My last contract, I was sitting with (Cowboys chairman) Lawrence (Lancini) and (chief executive) Peter Parr and it was quite confronting, so I am taking a back seat.
"I would love to have it settled soon football wise and family wise."
