Cowboys v Sea Eagles: Origin stars return; Turbo gets green light
All eyes will be on Tom Trbojevic in Townsville on Saturday night as Manly's main man returns from his latest injury setback and looks to spearhead a charge to the finals.
Trbojevic hasn't played since injuring his hamstring against the Dolphins in Round 10, with the Sea Eagles winning two and losing three in his absence.
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.
The Sea Eagles sit just outside the eight on 19 points while the Cowboys jumped to seventh on the back Sunday's upset victory over the Panthers.
Despite playing without Origin reps Val Holmes, Jeremiah Nanai and Tom Dearden, and having Scott Drinkwater and Jaxon Purdue sin binned, the Cowboys dug deep to come up with one of their best wins of the season.
The Origin stars are set to return on Saturday while blockbusting winger Semi Valemei is also in the mix following ankle surgery.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Cowboys v Sea Eagles
Team News
Cowboys: On the back of a win over the premiers the Cowboys have their rested Origin reps Val Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson all back on deck. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Sam McIntyre and Harrison Edwards all move to the bench alongside Griffin Neame.
Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic will line up at centre in his return from a hamstring injury with Tolu Koula at fullback and Reuben Garrick back from concussion in the other centre position. Origin reps Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau'atu are all back on deck as is Josh Aloiai, who returns from suspension in the front row. Lehi Hopoate, Nathan Brown and Karl Lawton will come from the bench after starting in the win over the Dragons prior to the bye.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tolutau Koula
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Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
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Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine HolmesCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tom Trbojevic
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Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami VaileaCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
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Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Tommy Talau
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Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
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Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad TownsendHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
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Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Toafofoa Sipley
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Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake Simpkin
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason TaumaloloProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Josh Aloiai
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
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Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Lehi Hopoate
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison EdwardsInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Karl Lawton
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kulikefu FinefeuiakiInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin NeameInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan Brown
Reserves
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Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Jake GranvilleReplacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Clayton Faulalo
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Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Braidon BurnsReserve for Sea Eagles is number 19 Aaron Schoupp
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Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Thomas MikaeleReserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Gordon Chan Kum Tong
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Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Jake CliffordReserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Caleb Navale
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Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Jaxon PurdueReserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 Aitasi James
Cowboys Ins
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Murray Taulagi
- Reece Robson
- Reuben Cotter
- Tom Dearden
- Valentine Holmes
Sea Eagles Ins
- Daly Cherry-Evans
- Gordon Chan Kum Tong
- Haumole Olakau'atu
- Jake Trbojevic
- Josh Aloiai
- Reuben Garrick
- Tom Trbojevic
Cowboys Outs
- Thomas Duffy
- Tom Chester
Sea Eagles Ins
- Ben Condon
- Corey Waddell
- Jaxson Paulo
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won only three of their past eight games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- The Sea Eagles have not been defeated in Townsville since 2016.
- Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored five tries in his past 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.
Match: Cowboys v Sea Eagles
Round 18 -
home Team
Cowboys
7th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
9th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
