People power has already forced a major Nine Network NRL schedule change - and North Queensland fans are praying it happens again after a "mind-boggling" decision to not air Friday night's Cowboys-South Sydney clash live.

Cowboys boss Peter Jourdain could not hide his outrage on Tuesday as a petition began in Townsville to pressure the Nine Network - a ploy that resulted in Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer's NRL regular season finale being moved from Friday night to a Sunday.

Adding to their fury, the Nine Network on Tuesday also ruled out their regional arm WIN TV showing the No.4-ranked Cowboys tackle the red-hot Rabbitohs in Sydney live in Queensland - outside the state's south-east - due to "technical reasons".

Another avenue was closed when local radio stations were denied calling the game live to north Queensland due to contractual reasons.

Momentum gathered behind the petition in Townsville on Tuesday while a Facebook page was created for fans to vent their spleen.

Jourdain was so angry he issued a statement on Tuesday.

"We find it mind-boggling that our members, supporters and sponsors are being denied live TV and radio access to what is a very important game for the Toyota Cowboys," he said.

"It is highly unacceptable that radio and internet updates will be the only live coverage we will receive for a round-24 fixture with our team near the top of the ladder and building to a finals campaign.

"Our club is running fourth in the premiership and Souths are in the hunt for the top eight and we believe this game would have interested many people, not only Cowboys supporters, in Queensland."

Jourdain found it hard to believe the Nine Network had opted to show their match on delay following top-placed Melbourne's clash with a waning St George Illawarra.

"We have enjoyed very strong television viewing figures on Fox Sports, where we have more games in the top 10 of most watched matches this year than any other club, and on Channel Nine and WIN Television," Jourdain said.

"I can't see how this match would have been any different.

"We'd like to thank WIN Television for the time and effort they put in to try and get the game live into north and central Queensland."

The game looms as a blockbuster with the Cowboys confirming on Tuesday that inspirational rake Aaron Payne (eye fracture) had been passed fit.

Payne missed last round's loss to the Broncos after a training mishap.

He was included in a 19-strong squad that featured back-up hooker James Segeyaro on an extended bench despite limping off the field last Friday night with a rolled ankle.

Cowboys coach Neil Henry clearly looked forward to the Souths clash.

"Sides would be nervous given the confidence they (the Rabbitohs) are throwing the ball around with - if you let them do that, they will burn you," he said.

"I wouldn't say the performance by their opposition have been good but credit to Souths - they have put sides away and convincingly.

"It really is a test for us.

"We've held onto a top-four spot. There's a bit of luck there and we need to win this game."

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