In what has been a pattern all season so far for the Eels, a solid effort was not enough to see them get their first win, after going down to the Raiders in a close match last week.
The game got away from them in the first half when they let in 18 points in the first 20 minutes, before a second-half fightback came up short.
Coach Dean Widders said he had "a lot of pride in their performance" and could see the effort his players were putting in each week.
Cowboys coach Ben Jeffries however pulled no punches when discussing his side's heavy loss last week to the Sharks, labelling the performance as "embarrassing" and "unacceptable".
"Pretty much our whole group was off the mark today,” Jeffries said after the game which saw the Cowboys give up four tries in the opening half to trail 24-6 at halftime.
However, the Cowboys showed some fight in the second half, with this week's NRLW Bundy Mixer Player of the Round Emma Manzelmann going over for a try.
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Team News
Eels: A change on game day with winger Monique Donovan dropping out so Kimberley Hunt shifts to the wing and NSW Under 19 Origin rep Lindsay Tui starts at centre in jersey No.21. Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis and Madeline Jones join the interchange list with Capri Paekau going back to 18th player and Shannon Muru out of the side. Jade Fonua (hand) returns at lock for her first game since starting at halfback in Round 1.
Cowboys: Krystal Blackwell and Vitalina Naikore are the new wingers in place of Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly (ACL) and China Polata, who lines up at prop this week. Libby Surha will make her NRLW debut and Jetaya Faifua comes into the side too, with Emma Manzelmann named to start at hooker. Sareka Mooka joinis the bench in jersey No.18 for April Ngatupuna (rested).
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Stat Attack
- Cowboys hooker Emma Manzelmann put in a strong defensive showing for her side last week, making a game-high 40 tackles.
- The Cowboys have lost both of their home games in 2023.
- The Eels remain the only team in the NRLW this season yet to secure a win after five rounds of competition. The Eels did not win their first game of their grand final season last year until Round 5.