Eels v Cowboys: Walker back on deck; Mahoney good to go
The Cowboys are out to solidify their place in the top eight when they travel south to face the Parramatta Eels on Saturday evening.
North Queensland climbed back into the eight with a convincing win over the Titans last week and they are looking to keep the momentum rolling in the race to September.
While they continue to play without star halfback Tom Dearden; playmakers Jake Clifford and Jaxon Purdue have combined to lead the Cowboys high-powered attack.
Parramatta may be out of the finals race but they showed last week they won't go down without a fight.
Trailing 28-0 at half-time against the Rabbitohs, the Eels came within a whisker of pulling off the biggest comeback in NRL history before ultimately falling 28-24.
Mitchell Moses remains one of the best playmakers in the competition and has been surrounded by an improving crop of exciting young backs. Jordan Samrani and Ronald Volkman have impressed this season and will look to contribute to a win on Saturday.
Match: Eels v Cowboys
Round 24 -
home Team
Eels
13th Position
away Team
Cowboys
8th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Eels: Utility Dylan Walker returns after being rested in Round 23 and outside back Sean Russell also appears on the bench having overcome a quad injury. Tallyn Da Silva has been named to start at hooker with Ryley Price dropping to the reserves along with Kelma Tuilagi. The loss of Isaiah Iongi to a season-ending knee injury sees Apa Twidle handed the No.1 jersey
Cowboys: The return of hooker Reed Mahoney from concussion sees Soni Luke revert to the bench in the only change to the starting side that downed the Titans. Veteran prop Matt Lodge drops off the interchange.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Apa TwidleFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Brian KellyWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Zac Laybutt
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Jordan SamraniCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ronald VolkmanFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jaxon Purdue
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Luca MorettiProp for Cowboys is number 8 Griffin Neame
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Tallyn Da SilvaHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Jack Williams2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kai O'Donnell
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Jack De BelinLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Saxon PrykeInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas Mikaele
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Teancum BrownInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 John Bateman
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Jezaiah Funa-IutaInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
-
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Toni MataeleInterchange for Cowboys is number 18 Sam McIntyre
-
Interchange for Eels is number 19 Sean RussellInterchange for Cowboys is number 19 Ethan King
Reserves
-
Reserve for Eels is number 20 Kelma TuilagiReserve for Cowboys is number 20 Kaiden Lahrs
-
Reserve for Eels is number 21 Harrison EdwardsReserve for Cowboys is number 21 Mason Kira
-
Reserve for Eels is number 22 Ryley SmithReserve for Cowboys is number 22 Liam Sutton
Eels Ins
- Apa Twidle
- Dylan Walker
- Harrison Edwards
- Kelma Tuilagi
- Sean Russell
Cowboys Ins
- Kaiden Lahrs
- Liam Sutton
- Mason Kira
- Reed Mahoney
Eels Outs
- Isaiah Iongi
- Sam Tuivaiti
Cowboys Ins
- Matthew Lodge
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have won five of their last six games against the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys have won only one of five matches at CommBank Stadium.
- Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 15 tries in his last 12 games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys second-rower Heilum Luki has played every minute of every game this season.
- Their golden point win over the Cowboys in Rd 10 was the Eels’ only 2026 victory against a top eight team.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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