Matchday Details
Sunday 10th August – 4:05pm (AEST) – CommBank Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Liam Kennedy | Bunker: Ashley Klein
Eels
1. Joash Papali’i 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dean Hawkins 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Kelma Tuilagi 18. Ronald Volkman 19. Dan Keir 20. Haze Dunster 21. Toni Mataele 22. Dylan Brown
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Zac Laybutt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Harrison Edwards 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Marly Bitungane 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kai O’Donnell 17. Coen Hess 18. Jaxson Paulo 19. Semi Valemei 20. Nicholas Lenaz 21. Jamal Shibasaki 22. Kaiden Lahrs
Match Preview
The 2025 Indigenous Round wraps up on Sunday afternoon as the Eels host the Cowboys. With both sides languishing near the bottom of the ladder and finals hopes all but gone, the focus now shifts to building towards 2026 and finishing as high as possible.
The Eels have been hit by two season-ending injuries, with Sean Russell and Sam Tuivati both sidelined after last week’s clash with the Storm. Jordan Samrani replaces Russell on the wing, while Luca Moretti comes onto the bench for Tuivati. The Cowboys have also lost Robert Derby to a knee injury, but they welcome back a host of reinforcements — Jason Taumalolo, Jake Clifford, Viliami Vailea and Thomas Mikaele all return to the fold.
Last week, the Eels impressed against the ladder-leading Storm, continuing their steady improvement under Jason Ryles. The Cowboys, on the other hand, were disappointing against the Sharks, conceding over 30 points yet again to further cement their status as the competition’s leakiest defence.
Across the park, there are intriguing individual match-ups. Origin rivals Mitch Moses and Tom Dearden are both central to their team’s chances. Since Moses’ return, the Eels have lifted a gear, while Dearden remains one of the Cowboys’ most tireless and determined performers.
In the middle, the clash between Junior Paulo and Jason Taumalolo promises fireworks. The Samoan and Tongan internationals are the heart of their respective forward packs, and their collisions will set the tone for physicality and work ethic.
Out wide, the Eels may fancy themselves with the likes of Zac Lomax and evergreen speedster Josh Addo-Carr. But the Cowboys’ mix of journeymen and rising talents will relish the challenge of matching it with representative-calibre wingers.
The last time these sides met was in April last year, with the Eels prevailing 27-20. Their overall head-to-head record is almost even — 23 wins for Parramatta, 22 for North Queensland, and one draw from 46 encounters.
With their form trending upwards, the Eels should have enough to get the job done on Sunday — though the Cowboys won’t be a pushover.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Eels by 14.
See our full Round 23 Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 23 Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
