Round 20: Sea Eagles v Cowboys preview
Two points for two hopefuls heading towards September
Two teams on the cusp of the top eight will vie for two valuable competition points on Saturday evening when the Manly Sea Eagles host the North Queensland Cowboys at 4 Pines Park.
Sitting in tenth position, one point adrift of the top eight, with a -24 for-and-against differential, the Manly Sea Eagles will be to chasing back-to-back victories for only the third time this season.
Handing Dean Matterson a first grade debut in place of Ben Trbojevic in the only change from the team that outlasted the Roosters (18-16) a fortnight ago, coach Anthony Seibold has named Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic on the presumption the representative duo will back up 72 hours after Origin III with mid-season recruit Jake Arthur listed on an extended bench.
Winning five of their past seven matches against North Queensland, the Sea Eagles have performed strongly following each of their byes this season with wins at home over the Eels (34-30) and the Dolphins (58-18).
Surging up the table during the middle-third of the season to sit outside the top eight on points differential, the North Queensland Cowboys will be aiming to continue a surprising record on the northern beaches over the past two decades.
Coming off a club record victory over the Tigers (74-0) in their last appearance, coach Todd Payten has gone with the same squad, including all seven players involved in Origin III in the starting side.
Winning six of their eight visits to 4 Pines Park in the years since Manly re-emerged in the league as a stand-alone club, the Cowboys memorably conjured a comeback for the ages with three tries in the final eight minutes to snatch a 28-26 victory at the venue last season.
Last meeting: Round 15 2022 - Sea Eagles 26 Cowboys 28
Who to watch: Coming up against some of the most impressive back-rowers emerging in the league, Haumole Olakau'atu will have a point to prove in the run towards September. Beginning the year in destructive form off the back of five tries in his first seven matches, the 24-year-old has been a victim of Manly's mid-year malaise with one try since May to go from Origin contender to missing the series in its entirety. Remaining a solid contributor with 119 running metres and 28 tackles on average, a return to form from Olakau'atu will be invaluable if the Sea Eagles are to feature in finals football.
Enjoying a golden run of form since making the move up north mid-season, former Canberra outside back Semi Valemei will be aiming to continue his unbeaten run in Cowboys colours. Averaging 163 running metres since coming into the side at the expense of Kyle Feldt last month, the 24-year-old Fijian flyer has delivered with five tries and 17 tackle breaks in four matches. Contracted to the club until the end of next season, Valemei could prove to be one the best buys of the season if recent form is indicative of things to come.
Favourite: North Queensland are favoured to make it five in a row at the time of writing prior to Origin III.
My tip: North Queensland will fancy their chances of achieving a post-Origin hat-trick following emphatic performances over Melbourne and South Sydney earlier this season. Cowboys by 14.
