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Parramatta Eels v North Queensland Cowboys Saturday 7:35pm at TIO Stadium, Darwin / Larrakia

Cowboys or men: can North Queensland be the real deal?

Rugby league returns to the top end on Saturday evening as the Parramatta Eels and the North Queensland Cowboys face off in a contest set to put both team's credentials to the test.

Sitting comfortably in 3rd on the premiership ladder with five wins over the opening seven rounds, the Parramatta Eels will be vying to keep the points flowing after an emphatic performance over the ANZAC weekend.

Making a mockery of the Knights with a 39-2 demolition in Newcastle last Sunday, the Eels have averaged approximately 30 points this season to rank second only to the reigning premiers in attack.

Winning six out of 14 matches against North Queensland during Brad Arthur's coaching tenure, Dylan Brown has been retained in the centres with Jakob Arthur holding his place in an unchanged team at five-eighth.

Holding an impressive record of six wins from seven appearances in Darwin over the years, only three current players (Clinton Gutherson, Mitchell Moses and Nathan Brown) remain from the side's sole loss at TIO Stadium - incidentally occurring against the Cowboys - five years ago.

Rounding out the first third of the season with a win-loss record few envisioned two months ago, the North Queensland Cowboys will be striving to make a statement by claiming a heavyweight scalp.

Coming into the clash in winning form after dismantling the Titans 30-4 at home last Saturday, coach Todd Payten has retained the same squad with speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow a chance of being a late inclusion after being named as part of the extended squad.

Winning two of their previous three visits to Darwin over the past decade, the visitors will have added motivation to perform with co-captain Chad Townsend making his 200th appearance in first grade.

Surprising many with wins over the Raiders (twice), Broncos and Titans to sit in 5th position, the Cowboys have enjoyed their longest stretch inside the top eight since last qualifying for the finals five years ago.

Last meeting: Round 23 2021 - Eels 32 Cowboys 16

Who to watch: A lot has changed for Reed Mahoney since debuting against North Queensland four years ago in Darwin. Emerging as one of the game's premier number nines renown for his work rate and support play, the 24-year-old Queenslander has been a key performer for the Eels with three tries and three try assists as well as 36 tackles on average each week. Set to farewell the blue and gold faithful at season's end after agreeing to terms on a lucrative deal with Canterbury, look for Mahoney to remain focussed on the task of breaking the club's long-standing premiership drought.

Finding new life in the centres after struggling to cement a position upon his return from the NFL, Valentine Holmes has enjoyed the best football of his career in Cowboys colours. Taking to the number three jersey with a more mature mindset from the wunderkind that dazzled at Cronulla, the 26-year-old premiership winner has produced 27 tackle breaks, five line breaks and three tries to go along with 139 running metres on average this season. Averaging close to a try every two games, yet never scoring against Parramatta previously, look for Holmes to get the better of his inexperienced opposite with a four-pointer.

The favourite: Chasing three straight wins against the Cowboys for the first time since 2011, the Eels are expected to have too much class on the night.

My tip: With both sides prevailing with one win apiece in clashes held at TIO Stadium, the Cowboys will rate their chances of breaking the Darwin deadlock and making a statement as more than also-rans. Cowboys by 8.

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Hayze Perham 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Dylan Brown 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali'i 13. Nathan Brown 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Bryce Cartwright 18. Wiremu Greig

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 16. Reuben Cotter 15. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 10. Coen Hess 11. Heilum Luki 17. Griffin Neame 19. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 14. Jake Granville

Referees: Todd Smith; Sideline Officials: David Munro, Nick Pelgrave; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;