SATURDAY, JULY 6th, 2024 QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM,TOWNSVILLE, QLD
Return of Tom Trbojevic Captivates Townsville
All eyes will be on Tom Trbojevic in Townsville on Saturday night as Manly’s key player returns from his latest injury setback, aiming to lead the charge to the finals.
Trbojevic has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring against the Dolphins in Round 10, during which time the Sea Eagles have won two and lost three matches.
Line-Up Confirmation: Trbojevic in the Centres
The club has confirmed he will line up in the centres, a position he last played at NRL level back in 2016 when Brett Stewart was in his final season as Manly fullback.
Currently, the Sea Eagles sit just outside the top eight on 19 points, while the Cowboys climbed to seventh following their upset victory over the Panthers on Sunday.
Manly Sea Eagles
1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Tom Trbojevic 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau, 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai , 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Lehi Hopoate , 15. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Clayton Faulalo , 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Caleb Navale 22. Aitasi James
Premiership Ladder Tight: Cowboys vs Sea Eagles Preview
One point separates the North Queensland Cowboys and Manly Sea Eagles on the premiership ladder as they prepare to face off in Townsville on Saturday night.
Cowboys Squad Boosted with Representative Stars
The Cowboys, buoyed by their upset win over the defending premiers last week, will welcome back six representative stars into their lineup.
After stunning Penrith 16-6 at the foot of the mountains last Sunday, coach Todd Payten has opted for greater mobility on the bench, preferring mid-season recruit Harrison Edwards over Thomas Mikaele.
Key Matchup: Cowboys Aim for Third Consecutive Victory
The Cowboys have won eight of their last 14 meetings against the Sea Eagles over the past decade and aim to secure three consecutive victories for the first time since 2016.
With five wins from their last six matches, the Cowboys have surged into the top eight, having accumulated nine wins (including two byes), and will play six of their final eight matches at home.
Despite missing Origin representatives Val Holmes, Jeremiah Nanai, and Tom Dearden, and facing sin bins for Scott Drinkwater and Jaxon Purdue, the Cowboys showed resilience to achieve one of their standout wins this season.
The returning Origin stars are set to bolster the team on Saturday, and winger Semi Valemei is also in contention following ankle surgery.
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea, 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson, 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter, 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame , 18. Jake Granville 19. Braidon Burns 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Jake Clifford 22. Jaxon Purdue
Referee. Todd Smith. Touch Judges. Daniel Schwass, Michael Wise. Bunker. Liam Kennedy.
Key Stats
The Cowboys have won only three of their last eight games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Manly have not been defeated in Townsville since 2016.
Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored five tries in his last five games.
Manly prop Josh Aloiai will play his 150th NRL game.
Cowboys hooker Reece Robson will become the first player to appear in 50 games at QCB Stadium.
Prediction.
I think the Cowboys will finish in the top eight this year, and they will start as favourites here at home in front of their fans. This is a must win match for them. The weather will be warm and humid in Townsville which again helps the home side. Go the Cows.
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