MANLY SEA EAGLES NYC v NORTH QUEENSLAND TOYOTA COWBOYS NYC
5.15pm, Saturday 30 April, Brookvale Oval
Referee: Jon Stone
Touch judges: Josh McGowan, Darian Furner
TEAMS
Cowboys NYC: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Nathan Traill 3. Bacho Salam 4. Trey Kemp 5. Marcus Jensen 6. Ty Carucci 7. Cooper Bambling 8. Darryn Schonig 9. Brandon Smith 10. Ross Bella 11. Coen Hess 12. Hiale Roycroft 13. Jordan Kenworthy. Interchange: 14. Calum Gahan 15. Tahanui Tutavake 16. Nick Brown 17. Kaleb Fuimaono.
Sea Eagles NYC: 1. Jayden El-Jalkh 2. Tevita Funa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Sione Hopote 5. Harlan Collins 6. Luke Polselli 7. Cade Cust 8. Elia Faatui 9. Heath Garay 10. Darcy Cox 11. Billy Bainbridge 12. Eduard Wulf 13. Jonny Walker. Interchange: 14. Jaiden Tarrant 15. Lucas Price 16. Moses Noovaom-McGreal 17. George Francis 20. Hutana Coffin.
The young Cowboys returned to the winner’s circle in devastating fashion last round, trouncing the Eels 54-12 to snap a disappointing two-game winless stretch.
The rout included a 22-point haul from talented fullback Kalyn Ponga, who scored two tries and kicked seven goals, while running for 268m on just 11 carries.
The Cowboys will be hoping to field the same side in consecutive games for just the second week in succession.
The team has five wins from eight matches to sit at fourth on the NYC ladder while the Sea Eagles are yet to post a win in 2016 after making the grand final in 2015.
Cowboys captain Coen Hess is the second-most effective turnover tackler in the comp, effecting 10 of the potential match-turning plays this year.
He is also the NYC’s most heavily penalised player, conceding 12 infringements in eight matches.
COACH AARON PAYNE: “It’s important that complacency isn’t even a consideration and that we remain committed and disciplined.”