Cowboys v Sea Eagles preview

North Queensland Cowboys v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
1300SMILES Stadium - Saturday 7:30pm

Can the Sea Eagles fly again without their Cherry? Or will the Cowboys make it 9 straight?

North Queensland grinded out their record 8th straight win on the Saturday Evening with a dour 8-0 win over a flat and discouraged Wests Tigers outfit. The Cowboys who were minus origin stars Jonathan Thurston, Matt Scott, James Tamou and Michael Morgan did enough to get over the Tigers with a strong defensive display by both Ethan Lowe and Gavin Cooper.

They will be buoyed by the fact that they are heading back home to 1300smiles Stadium where they have won their last 4 games in a row.

There are no fresh changes for North Queensland with Paul Green having the luxury of having a fit and fighting roster as he has had for the past 8 weeks. John Asiata, Rory Kostjasyn and Patrick Kafuisi make up a three man extended bench.

Manly were dealt a big blow last time out when they lost divisive Half Back Daly Cherry Evans with a shoulder injury. This caused him to miss the first state of origin and may sideline him for up to 6 weeks, which continues Manly's horror runs with injuries in 2015.

On the upside New Zealand International Kieran Foran returns to play at the unfamiliar position of half back. This is the only change for Manly who will again be desperate to get back into the winners circle for only the 4th time this season.

Still hurting from their 11-10 extra time defeat against Penrith, Manly will be hoping that can get some cohesiveness in their attack as they have only averaged 15 points a game in 10 matches in 2015. Their away form has bleak reading as they have only scored 56 in 5 game at an average of just above 11 points a game, the most points they have scored away from home is just 16 points and add that they have only recorded 1 win in 5 away games this season really puts the pressure on the boys from the Northern Beaches.

They will be hoping that if Kieran Foran and Brett Stewart can hit their past form then they'll have a big chance of laying on the points.

Last Meeting: North Queensland 30 Manly 16 at 1300Smiles Stadium, Round 26, 2014.

The Cowboys got the money the last time the two sides played, however Manly had won the previous 6 before that, including their controversial semi final win in 2012.

In total manly lead the ledger 15-8. Up in Townsville it is tied 6-6 from 12 clashes.

Who To Watch: Newly crowned QLD representative Michael Morgan hasn't been involved in a losing team since round 3, after playing for the Maroons in their 11-10 win on Wednesday night. He will be very eager to keep the streak gong in hat has been a stellar year in 2015. Morgan's running game has been arguably one of the best in the competition and his strength has seen him break the most tackles among halves only behind Blake Austin. His 2015 stats read: 7 tries, 809 metres from 80 hit ups, 4 try assists and 10 line breaks. He has taken a lot of the pressure of Jonathan Thurston and it is benefiting the Cowboys greatly and they have skyrocketed to equal first on the ladder.

If Manly don't shut him down early he will wreck havoc all afternoon, especially if given space.

Manly will be hoping the prince of Brookvale Brett Stewart can be the pricne of Townsville (or at least for one night!).

Stweart year hs been disrupted much like the rest of the Sea Eagles squad. He showed glimpses of his past with a double last time out against the Panthers. Stewart's great burst of speed and superb back up play are what makes him one of the best fullbacks in this era. Watch for him to be roaming around the ruck and off the hip of Manly's big forwards. 7 tries, 1 try assist and 3 line breaks to go along with 500 + metres prove that Stewart is far from over the hill.

Look for him to be amongst the tries if Manly get out on top in this one.

The Favourite: Cowboys at home have lots of money coming in for them. Add that they have won their past 7, it's all the Cowboys.

My Tip: Going against the grain here and tipping Manly. They need a win badly and I just can't see this poor form continuing. Foran is a big in and even without DCE I think Manly might cause the upset.

Will be tough against a rampant Cowboys outfit who have an in form team and a huge pack. Should be a cracking contest. Manly by 1.

1. Lachlan Coote 2. Matthew Wright 3. Justin O'Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathan Thurston 8. Matthew Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. James Tamou 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Ray Thompson 15. Ben Spina 16. Ben Hannant 17. Sam Hoare 18. John Asiata 19. Rory Kostjasyn 20. Patrick Kaufusi

1. Brett Stewart 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Jamie Lyon 4. Steve Matai 5. Peta Hiku 6. Tom Symonds 7. Kieran Foran 8. Jake Trbojevic 9. Matt Ballin 10. Luke Burgess 11. Blake Leary 12. Justin Horo 13. Dunamis Lui
Interchange: 14. Feleti Mateo 15. Willie Mason 16. James Hasson 17. Ligi Sao

Referees: Ashley Klein, Henry Perenara; Sideline Officials: Michael Wise, Belinda Sleeman; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Steve Folkes;

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