Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 11 clash between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
North Queensland Cowboys Vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Date: Saturday May 17, 5:30pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Kai O’Donnell 18. Jake Clifford 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Semi Valemei 21. Karl Lawton 22. Kaiden Lahrs
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Caleb Navale 17. Nathan Brown 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Joey Walsh 22. Matthew Lodge
Referee: Grant Atkins
Bunker: Ashley Klein
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
With one last chance to prove their credentials ahead of State of Origin, North Queensland and Manly’s hopefuls will be doing everything they can to ensure their selection in the series opener.
The match takes on extra importance as the winner will retain their place in the top eight while the loser will drop out.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten has swung the axe on underperforming halfback Jake Clifford, moving young gun Jaxon Purdue into the halves alongside Tom Dearden and recalling Zac Laybutt at centre.
Anthony Seibold has largely retained the same side that went down to Cronulla on Sunday, bringing Caleb Navale onto the bench in place of Clayton Faulalo (who went unused) and promoting Ethan Bullemor into the starting side, with Jazz Tevaga moving to hooker and Jake Simpkin to the bench.
After a poor start to the season, which began with a 42-12 loss against Manly at 4 Pines Park, the Cowboys quickly found form with four straight victories. Since then, a defeat to the Warriors and Saturday night’s draw against Penrith have seen the Cowboys form line dip again. They’ll be hoping moving the in-form Purdue to his natural position in the halves will spark the team again to return to the winners circle ahead of the difficult Origin period.
Ever since news of Daly Cherry-Evans’ departure broke, Manly have struggled for form. They’ve lost four of their past five, although looked a good chance of beating Cronulla in round 10 when they recovered from 14-0 down to draw level at 14-all. A late collapse saw them eventually go down 30-14, leaving the team with more questions than answers.
The battle of the halfbacks is a particularly intriguing one ahead of Origin selections. Cherry-Evans is the incumbent Queensland halfback and captain, but his form has been below his usual standards so far in 2025. Dearden is playing well for the Cowboys and has done a good job for Queensland in the halves in the past. The result of this game may go a long way to deciding who gets the halfback jersey for game 1.
There is also pressure on Jake and Tom Trbojevic to earn selection for New South Wales. Jake is the captain but facing increasing speculation that he will lose his spot, while Tom faces an uphill battle to break back into the Blues backline.
The Sea Eagles hold the overall advantage in head-to-head matches between the two teams, winning 22 of the 37 they’ve played, including six of the past eight. They’ve also won their past five matches against the Cowboys in Townsville, having not suffered defeat in the city since 2016.
The Cowboys look the more likely team to win this match with a longer turnaround in home conditions, however the extra 10 minutes against the Panthers could make a big difference if things are close late in the match.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Cowboys by 6 points.
Check out our round 11 predictions here.
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