Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 18 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and Manly Sea Eagles. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs. Manly Sea Eagles game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday July 6, 2024 at 7:35 pm
Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles Odds
North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles Preview
The biggest talking point of this crunch game between the seventh-placed North Queensland Cowboys and ninth-placed Manly Sea Eagles who are separated by just one point is the retrenchment of returning Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic in the centres.
In something of a surprise, Tolu Koula moves to fullback with rookie No.1 sensation Lehi Hopoate taking up a spot on the bench, as Reuben Garrick also returns in the centres.
Origin trio Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakauatu, and Josh Aloiai are all back as well.
The Sea Eagles have won only two of their last seven, but those two wins were excellent home victories against the Storm and Dragons.
With their rep stars missing, they were doused 14-0 by Souths at Accor Stadium before last weeks bye.
The Cowboys have won five of their last six to climb back into the Top 8, but they dont have the feel of a team on a roll.
However, they scored a 34-16 upset in Canberra and stunned Penrith 16-6 both on the road in their past two outings.
Val Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson all return to the Cowboys line-up after being rested from the Panthers win.
After losing the teams last four encounters, the Sea Eagles won one-off clashes in 2022 (28-26) and 2023 (19-8) both at 4 Pines Park.
The Cowboys are on a four-match winning streak against Manly in Townsville.
Somewhat of a concern is the fact the Cowboys have conceded at least 20 points in every home game this season, including a 42-12 loss to the Warriors in their last Townsville assignment.
The Sea Eagles, meanwhile, are striving to snap a four-match away losing streak.
Without Origin encumbrances, Manly has been the more reliable and impressive of the two teams particularly defensively.
The visitors can get the job done on the back of DCEs influence and Turbos return.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles Tip
We're tipping North Queensland Cowboys to win at $1.75 odds.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles Teams
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jake Granville 19. Braidon Burns 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Jake Clifford 22. Jaxon Purdue
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Tom Trbojevic 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Lehi Hopoate 15. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Caleb Navale 22. Aitasi James