NRL.com match preview: Brown still in centres; Cowboys unchanged
Arguably the match of the round pits two top-five teams against each other in the top end as the Eels make their annual pilgrimage to Darwin.
The Eels shook off both their shocking backline injury toll and a scrappy Easter Monday loss to Wests Tigers to put together a hugely disciplined and professional 80 minutes against the Knights.
Meanwhile this year's surprise packets the Cowboys continue to impress, proving far too strong for a disappointing Titans outfit in Anzac Round.
The standard goes up this week but the North Queenslanders should adapt well to Darwin's heat and humidity; it's a ground they have won two of their three previous trips while the Eels have won six of seven - with their only loss coming against the Cowboys in 2017.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Eels v Cowboys
Match Rundown
Team news
Eels: The Eels are 1-17 with no late changes. Brad Arthur has gone with the same team that downed Newcastle, with Dylan Brown again in the centres.
Cowboys: Late changes an hour before kick-off with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow joining the bench in jersey No.19 having recovered from a knee injury. Jake Granville drops back to 18th man. Reuben Cotter and Tom Gilbert move into the starting side and Coen Hess and Heilum Luki go to the bench.
Match: Eels v Cowboys
Round 8 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Hayze PerhamWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Dylan BrownCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Jake ArthurFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Cowboys is number 16 Reuben Cotter
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Cowboys is number 15 Tom Gilbert
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Nathan BrownLock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Makahesi MakatoaInterchange for Cowboys is number 10 Coen Hess
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Ryan MattersonInterchange for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Bryce CartwrightInterchange for Cowboys is number 19 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Wiremu GreigReplacement for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Nathan Brown v Jason Taumalolo: Brown has worked into the season nicely for Parramatta after a delayed start while Cowboys wrecking ball Taumalolo has really come into some form over the past few weeks. Brown possesses a bit more ball-playing finesse than the North Queensland skipper, who on his day is one of the most damaging ball-carriers in the NRL.
Stat attack
In-form Eels halfback Mitch Moses continues to stretch his lead atop the season try-assist tally, with one more against the Knights taking him to 13 - five clear of next-best Cameron Munster and Ben Hunt.
Match: Eels v Cowboys
Round 8 -
home Team
Eels
5th Position
away Team
Cowboys
3rd Position
Venue: TIO Stadium, Darwin
