Manly Warringh Sea Eagles will be hoping another hostile home crowd can lift the team to victory when they tackle the North Queensland Cowboys at 4 Pines Park on Saturday night.
The round 20 match is shaping up to be a crucial game for both sides with just eight rounds remaining before the Telstra Premiership finals.
Where they sit
The Cowboys sit in ninth place on 22 points, one point and position ahead of the Sea Eagles with South Sydney Rabbitohs (22) rounding out the top eight. Both the Cowboys and the Sea Eagles had a bye last weekend.
The waiting game
Manly captain/half-back Daly Cherry-Evans and lock Jake Trbojevic will back up from Wednesday night’s Origin game. The Cowboys are sweating on the fitness of their five representative players. Both teams will have their final training session on Friday.
Match: Sea Eagles v Cowboys
Round 20 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Reuben GarrickFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Semi Valemei
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad ParkerCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Christian TuipulotuWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
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Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Joshua SchusterFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
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Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela PasekaProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
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Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan CrokerHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 17 Josh AloiaiProp for Cowboys is number 10 Coen Hess
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Luciano Leilua
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
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Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
Interchange
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 10 Toafofoa SipleyInterchange for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Dean MattersonInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Aaron WoodsInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jason Taumalolo
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 21 Jake ArthurReplacement for Cowboys is number 19 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Special moment for 'Matto'
There will be no prouder family in the stands at 4 Pines Park on Saturday night than the Matterson clan when Dean Matterson takes to the field for his NRL debut.
A player with tremendous utility value, 'Matto' can cover centre, five-eighth, lock, and second-row, and has been a standout for the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in their charge towards the NSW Cup finals.
The 25-year-old has spent the past five seasons in the NSW Cup at three clubs and finally gets his well-deserved opportunity after 76 games.
Last Time We Met
Sea Eagles supporters will be looking for a full 80 minutes from their side, hoping to erase the horror ending of last year’s match against the Cowboys at 4 Pines Park.
Manly led 26-12 with 15 minutes remaining before the Cowboys stormed home with three tries in eight minutes to snatch a remarkable 28-26 victory.
On a brighter note, Manly has won four of their past five games against the Cowboys.
No Place Like Home
The Sea Eagles have won five of their seven matches at 4 Pines Park this season, including a heart-stopping last start win over the Sydney Roosters a fortnight ago where a sold out home crowd certainly played their part in the victory.
It has certainly become a 'Fortress' again for the Sea Eagles in 2023 under new Coach Anthony Seibold.
The Cowboys have won just two of their eight away games this season but beat South Sydney 31-6 in their last Sydney game.
Keep on rolling, Reuben
Manly full-back Reuben Garrick has scored 46 points in his past three games against the Cowboys.
And who will ever forget that incredible last play run by Garrick against the Cowboys in Townsville that led to a Tom Trbojevic try. It was that good it won the 2021 'Try of the Year' award.
Game Day details
Gates open: 2.45pm
Jersey Flegg Cup 3pm: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (8th) vs Melbourne Storm (5th)
NRL Kick-Off 5.30pm: Sea Eagles vs Cowboys
Secure your tickets here
