However, their first set after points saw an error and gave the Cowboys a chance to hit back, but they weren’t able to immediately capitalise, even butchering a try when Chad Townsend spilled the ball once he ran over the line.
Thankfully for the Roosters-bound halfback, he didn’t have to wait long to make amends, scoring the home side’s opening try only moments later, starting the successful play when he threw a pass out wide to his right to winger Kyle Feldt who kicked in field for a trailing Townsend who made no mistake. Valentine Holmes kicked the conversion to draw scores level 6-6.
All eyes will be on Tom Trbojevic in Townsville on Saturday night as Manly’s main man returns from his latest injury setback and looks to spearhead a charge to the finals.
Trbojevic hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring against the Dolphins in Round 10, with the Sea Eagles winning two and losing three in his absence.
The club has confirmed he will line up in the centres, a position he last played at NRL level back in 2016 when Brett Stewart was in his final season as Manly fullback.
The Sea Eagles sit just outside the eight on 19 points while the Cowboys jumped to seventh on the back Sunday’s upset victory over the Panthers.
Despite playing without Origin reps Val Holmes, Jeremiah Nanai and Tom Dearden, and having Scott Drinkwater and Jaxon Purdue sin binned, the Cowboys dug deep to come up with one of their best wins of the season.
Cowboys: No late changes an hour from kick-off. On the back of a win over the premiers the Cowboys have their rested Origin reps Val Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson all back on deck. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Sam McIntyre and Harrison Edwards all move to the bench alongside Griffin Neame.
Sea Eagles: No late changes an hour from kick-off. Tom Trbojevic will line up at centre in his return from a hamstring injury with Tolu Koula at fullback and Reuben Garrick back from concussion in the other centre position. Origin reps Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau’atu are all back on deck as is Josh Aloiai, who returns from suspension in the front row. Lehi Hopoate, Nathan Brown and Karl Lawton will come from the bench after starting in the win over the Dragons prior to the bye.
