Sea Eagles out to protect the 'Fortress' from Cowboys

Author: Wayne Cousins
Timestamp: Thu 13 Jul 2023, 03:53 PM

Manly Warringh Sea Eagles will be hoping another hostile home crowd can lift the team to victory when they tackle the North Queensland Cowboys at 4 Pines Park on Saturday night.

The round 20 match is shaping up to be a crucial game for both sides with just eight rounds remaining before the Telstra Premiership finals.

Where they sit

The Cowboys sit in ninth place on 22 points, one point and position ahead of the Sea Eagles with South Sydney Rabbitohs (22) rounding out the top eight. Both the Cowboys and the Sea Eagles had a bye last weekend.

The waiting game

Manly captain/half-back Daly Cherry-Evans and lock Jake Trbojevic will back up from Wednesday night’s Origin game. The Cowboys are sweating on the fitness of their five representative players. Both teams will have their final training session on Friday.

Round 20 - Round 20 - Saturday 15 Jul

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Reuben Garrick

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Semi Valemei
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau Koula

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Josh Schuster

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 17 Josh Aloiai

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Coen Hess
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Luciano Leilua
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Lock for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 10 Toafofoa Sipley

Interchange for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Dean Matterson

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Aaron Woods

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Reserves

Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 21 Jake Arthur

Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:44 AM

Special moment for 'Matto'

There will be no prouder family in the stands at 4 Pines Park on Saturday night than the Matterson clan when Dean Matterson takes to the field for his NRL debut.

A player with tremendous utility value, 'Matto' can cover centre, five-eighth, lock, and second-row, and has been a standout for the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in their charge towards the NSW Cup finals.

Fine reward...Dean Matterson has been in superb form for Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles this season. ©Andrew Bateup Photography

The 25-year-old has spent the past five seasons in the NSW Cup at three clubs and finally gets his well-deserved opportunity after 76 games.

Last Time We Met

Sea Eagles supporters will be looking for a full 80 minutes from their side, hoping to erase the horror ending of last year’s match against the Cowboys at 4 Pines Park.

Manly led 26-12 with 15 minutes remaining before the Cowboys stormed home with three tries in eight minutes to snatch a remarkable 28-26 victory.

On a brighter note, Manly has won four of their past five games against the Cowboys.

No Place Like Home

The Sea Eagles have won five of their seven matches at 4 Pines Park this season, including a heart-stopping last start win over the Sydney Roosters a fortnight ago where a sold out home crowd certainly played their part in the victory.

It has certainly become a 'Fortress' again for the Sea Eagles in 2023 under new Coach Anthony Seibold.

The Cowboys have won just two of their eight away games this season but beat South Sydney 31-6 in their last Sydney game.

Keep on rolling, Reuben

Manly full-back Reuben Garrick has scored 46 points in his past three games against the Cowboys.

And who will ever forget that incredible last play run by Garrick against the Cowboys in Townsville that led to a Tom Trbojevic try. It was that good it won the 2021 'Try of the Year' award.

Game Day details

Gates open: 2.45pm

Jersey Flegg Cup 3pm: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (8th) vs Melbourne Storm (5th)

NRL Kick-Off 5.30pm: Sea Eagles vs Cowboys

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