Cowboys v Sea Eagles preview

Embed from Getty Images

North Queensland Cowboys v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Saturday 5:30pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba

The Cowboys come into this match with some strong form behind them.

After dropping their first 3 games of the season, they won their next 4 straight games before a tight 4 point loss to top side Warriors before a draw last weekend with the defending Premiers Penrith. They've racked up 182 points in those 6 games. However, their defence hasn't exactly been elite either, as they've conceded a considerable 132 points in that time, and after 9 games, despite sitting in 6th place on the table, their points differential is still in the red at -14.

Manly on the other hand feel like the most unconvincing top 8 side right now. They won 3 of their opening 4 games but have since lost 4 of their last 5 games, and while they've not been too heavily beaten, they've been beaten. Last week they went down to the Sharks 30-14, but held onto their top 8 spot courtesy of the Wests Tigers getting towelled up royally by the Storm last Sunday.

The Cowboys then look like the team to have the upper hand here, but then they went and shifted teenage outside back Jaxson Purdue into five-eighth, shifting Tom Dearden to halfback and lats week's number 7, Jake Clifford, onto the extended bench as 18th man. Not saying it's a bad move, but it adds an air of uncertainty around the Cowboys attack and that could be enough to give Manly's experienced spine an edge. 

Manly's pack has had some deckchair reshuffling take place, with the returning Jake Trbojevic moving back into his Lock position, Jazz Tevaga from lock to hooker, Jake Simpkin from hooker to the bench and Ethan Bullemor from the bench into the front row.

All these moves appear to be giving Dearden and Trbojevic opportunities to impress Origin selectors. One can't help but think that such moves are a gamble that seldom work out.

Last meeting: Round 1 2025 - Sea Eagles 42 Cowboys 12

Who to watch: The men vying for Origin jumpers are the ones to keep an eye on. Tom Trbojevic has been overtaken form-wise, by Cronulla's William Kennedy and the Roosters ageless custodian James Tedesco, so don't be surprised to see him injecting himself into the attack a lot, especially to run strong lines, solely to remind the Blues selectors that he can also slot in at centre. His brother Jake Trbojevic has a lot of competition for a middle forward spot, which could well be the reason why he's reverted back to Lock. Away from Origin hopefuls, Manly's wingers Lehi Hopoate and Jason Saab have been producing plenty of strong performances of late, adding an extra edge to their attack.

Tom Dearden has been playing well, but a shift to halfback will see him taking control of the Cowboys attack, becoming the centrepiece of all they do. There's a bit of uncertainty over who the Maroons halves will be, but Dearden is likely the most certain of all options. By proving he can play both halves roles well further strengthens his chances. 

Favourite:The Cowboys will be the favourites in this match, however Manly have won their last 5 games against the Cowboys that were played in Queensland. Cowboys have the form, but Manly have a spine that you can never take for granted.

My tip: This could well be a very tight match, but I'm gonna lean towards a Manly upset. Sea Eagles by 2.

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Kai O'Donnell 18. Jake Clifford 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Semi Valemei 21. Karl Lawton 22. Kaiden Lahrs

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Caleb Navale 17. Nathan Brown 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Joey Walsh 22. Matthew Lodge

Referees: Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, Michael Wise; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;