Two in-form sides open Round 7 in a contest that promises to deliver plenty of points and plenty of free-flowing footy in Townsville.<\/p>\n
With their team riding a four-game winning streak ad scoring 125 points in the process, the Cowboys faithful are sure to be out in force to watch Scott Drinkwater, Jaxon Purdue and Tom Dearden do their thing,<\/p>\n
The battle in the middle between Jason Taumalolo (156m per game) and Taniela Paseka (135m per game) should be an absolute beauty and both sides boast quality edge back-rowers in Heilum Luki and Haumole Olakau’atu.<\/p>\n
Just as the Cowboys have hit a purple patch after a sluggish 0-2 start so too the Sea Eagles, who were languishing at 0-3 before Kieran Foran took the reins and sparked victories over the Dolphins and Dragons.<\/p>\n
The Sea Eagles won both clashes between the sides last season and have a 4-0 record over the Cowboys at QCB Stadium so the trip north won’t faze the boys from Brookie.<\/p>\n
Team News<\/p>\n
Cowboys: Braidon Burns (ankle) returns to the wing in a straight swap for Murray Taulagi (concussion). After coming into the game much earlier than expected last week for Reed Mahoney, who also suffered a head knock, Soni Luke has been named to start at hooker. Sam McIntyre returns to the six-player bench after missing last week\u2019s game with a torn plantar fascia. Viliami Vailea is the other new face on the bench. Kaiden Lahrs and Mason Barber dropped out in the 24-hour update.<\/p>\n
Sea Eagles: Siosiua Taukeiaho makes his return from a calf injury via the bench having been sidelined since Round 1. Nathan Brown grabs a place on the six-man interchange after returning from illness in NSW Cup last week.\u00a0Joey Walsh and Simione Laiafi came out of the squad on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Stat Attack<\/p>\n
The Cowboys are chasing five consecutive wins for the first time since 2023.
\nThe Sea Eagles have won their last three games against the Cowboys.
\nCowboys centre Jaxon Purdue has scored five tries in his last five games.
\nSea Eagles winger Jason Saab has scored six tries in his last three games against the Cowboys.
\nCowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater will play his 150th game for the club.<\/p>\n