Update, post game: In a heart-pulsating game that could’ve gone either way, the Eels finally won a close one. They had 52% possession, completed better (90% v 84%), made more metres 1,853m v 1,688m, and made slightly less errors (7 v 8). Due to injuries and reshuffling to the back five, Jezaiah Funa-Luta's debut was put on ice.
The Eels have reshuffled yet again following Isaiah Iongi’s season-ending injury, adding to this year’s Injury Toll From Hell. A bright spot is the expected debut of young gun Jezaiah Funa-Luta.
The Cowboys arrive in eighth and desperate to consolidate their finals position. The Bulldogs’ loss to Souths gives North Queensland the chance to move four points clear of them and almost wrap up a finals berth.
But the Cowboys should beware. The Home of the Burramattagal People has had the wood on North Queensland for more than a decade.
Welcome to Round 24.
Teams
Eels 13th v Cowboys 8th, 5.30pm Saturday, 14 August, CommBank, Home of the Burramattagal People
Weather: 15°C, cloudy, humid, potential for rain
TAB: $2.50 Eels $1.53 Cowboys
Referees: Todd Smith (on-field), Phil Henderson (Touch Judge), Grant Atkins (Bunker)
Eels: 1. Apa Twidle 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Luca Moretti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kitione Kautoga 15. Saxon Pryke
Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 16. Teancum Brown 17. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 18. Toni Mataele 19. Sean Russell 20. Kelma Tuilagi
Reserve: 21. Harrison Edwards
Cut: 22. Ryley Smith 13. Jack de Belin
Head Coach: Jason Ryles
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Jaxon Purdue 8. Griffin Neame 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter
Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. John Bateman 17. Coen Hess 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Ethan King
Reserve: 20. Kaiden Lahrs
Cut: 21. Mason Kira 22. Liam Sutton
Head Coach: Todd Payton
The Ironman award: Heilum Luki has played every minute of every game this season.
Congratulations to Jezaiah Funa-Luta.
Form says Cowboys, but...
Eels won 3 of their last 7 games.
The Cowboys have won 4 of their last 6 games.
But are up and down. They beat the Panthers 26-12 showing their best but then were beaten 16-36 by the Dolphins and 12-82 by the Roosters.
The Eels' Indigenous Curse
Destiny seems against the Eels. They have won 5 from 13 Indigenous Rounds.
A 38.5% win ratio. The average margin is 5 points. Nine of those games have been decided by 1-8 points. Four have been decided by 16-38 point margins.
Despite all this, the Eels beat the Cowboys in last year’s Indigenous encounter 19-18.
Now for some more good news.
Eels have owned them recently
Eels have won 7 of their last 9 games against the Cowboys (78%).
Their golden point win over the Cowboys in Rd 10 was the Eels’ only 2026 victory against a top eight team.
The 11-year hoodoo
The last time the Cowboys beat Parramatta at Parramatta was in 2015.
The Eels have won the last 5-straight at Parramatta against the Cowboys.
The Cowboys have won only one of five matches at CommBank Stadium.
The Lands of the Burramattagal People have spoken.
The Fox to break a Record Drought?
Josh Addo-Carr has gone ten games without scoring a try. That's the longest season-drought in his 11-year career.
Ironically, he last scored a try (a double) against the Cowboys in R10. He has scored 15 tries in his last 12 games against the Cowboys.
It's time.
Final Word
The bookies, pundits, ladder, team sheets and form guide all point to the Cowboys.
But North Queensland is a roller coaster. They can look like a swashbuckling top-four side one week then spectacularly flop like a soufflé the next.
Parramatta's task is made harder by yet another reshuffled team, making continuity almost impossible this season.
But the Eels have one thing the Cowboys cannot ignore: History.
The Cowboys are playing for September. The Eels are playing for pride and their futures.
Despite the Eels' Indigenous struggles, the Home of the Burramattagal People has held an eleven-year hoodoo over the Cowboys. Will they finally break it?
Replies
Another great effort to gain 2 points...I had a feeling. Apa continued to look good, always backing up the ball-runner as shown when he was on the spot to chase and ground Kelly's grubber. He looked good. Samrani, Kelly, Mitch and TDS shone. And Jnr's 30 mtr spiral....
Yep. About time a little went ok for us.
Like APA too, oh well :(
Junior imo was super tonight, post op helped (that he maybe needed for awhile unsure) but glad he is fixed...reckon he is just super pleased to be staying, so am I. Exactly what it should be extra year with long term career post playing, he can offer alot .
Agree Macey
Stats for our two edge forwards tonight
Williams 14 hit ups, 128 mtrs, 61 post contact mtrs, 2 tackle breaks, 45 tackles, 3 missed.
Kautoga 14 hit ups, 125 mtrs, 58 post contact mtrs, 1 tackle breaks, 33 tackles, 5 missed.
Well I hope you people that comment on the game day blog, have a few reflections on what you actually say....it doesn't say much for the site....the negativity in the comments is breathtaking.......
Just go back a read some of the "shit" and subsequently how stupid you look.....special mention to you Fongy and your Farmer Ryles comments, as one of the senior posters, you should be able offer more!
PS Dont throw that back on me as the "arrogant prick" I know what I am....just go reflect on some of your own comments.
Dave just can't be bothered the what some on here get off on as I've said before they must be a real joy to live with .Poor Bastards
I think what foggy means, is how Ryles is doing a great job in developing the "green shoots". 🤣🤣🌱🪴🌴🌵🌳
Thought the trade off was good last night where they were strong we combated it with linespeed and numbers vs there size and the ball movement tired them out so they couldn't comeback at us at the backend of the game.
The long kicking of Moses and kick chase were also pivotal like JR said in the presser we neutarlaised there intent innthe first 3 tackles of every set minimising there effectiveness.
I guess all the so call supporters that have layed the boot into Ryles & Paulo are having the weekend off... that's a relief.
Don't worry they will be back, you didn't get much commentary last week after the clawed their way back and you could see them busting their guts to get into us last night.....inconsiderate bastards won the game and stuffed their plans....as I said they will be back, they live for the moment of telling the club they are "dumb asses". Strangely I have not heard of many of them explaining what they would do if they were out there playing?
We may have the biigest number of supporters of any Sydney based club....just not sure if they should be called supporters, maybe something else that qualifies them.
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