Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 21 clash between the North Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
North Queensland Cowboys Vs Parramatta Eels
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Date: Saturday July 22nd, 7:35pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jason Taumalolo 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 20. Sam McIntyre 21. Ben Hampton 22. Mitchell Dunn
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Ofahiki Ogden 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Andrew Davey 17. Ryan Matterson 18. Haze Dunster 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Waqa Blake 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Jack Murchie
Referee: Grant Atkins
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
This match is a season-defining game for both the Cowboys and Eels. Both teams sit on 24 points, separated only by the Eels’ superior differential. With the ladder so congested, any teams in the bottom half of the top eight could drop out should they string together a few losses. That includes these two, with the Eels 7th and the Cowboys 9th.
The Cowboys continued their late-season resurgence with a gritty win against the Manly Sea Eagles. They have won their past five games, having taken scalps including the Melbourne Storm, Penrith Panthers, and South Sydney Rabbitohs. It’s a far cry from a team that, earlier in the season, was shaping up as having no chance of playing in the finals. They will feature the same 17 that won last week, with Reuben Cotter moving into the starting side for Jake Granville.
The Eels returned to their winning ways in a tight contest against the Gold Coast Titans. It wasn’t a performance to be proud of, with a range of discipline issues (including two sin bins) causing them problems throughout the match. If it wasn’t for their captain, Clint Gutherson, and Mitchell Moses, they’d likely have found themselves on the losing end of the scoreboard. They will miss their star prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard for four weeks, while Maika Sivo has been named, however, he will miss the game should he fail to fight his charge. Haze Dunster is the 18th man and will step in should he be ruled out.
For the Cowboys to win, they will want to take advantage of the absence of Campbell-Gillard. Though Ofahiki Ogden has proven capable, it’s yet to be seen how he handles the humidity up north. Whether it’s Sivo or Dunster on the wing, expect the Cowboys to target that side. Either player has a few errors in them, with the latter also lacking first-grade match experience in recent times. Murray Taulagi can finish and will be looking for good ball to get around them.
The Eels will come close if their key men continue to inspire. Gutherson has single-handedly won them a plethora of matches this year through his tireless efforts. So too, Moses, who has found arguably career-best form this year. If those men are shut down, the Eels’ chances dwindle dramatically. Bryce Cartwright was possibly the Eels’ best last week, in both attack and defense, and can be a genuine x-factor out wide when he’s on. He will be looking to land a few offloads and put players in space.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Eels 5, Cowboys 5
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Eels by 2
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