Friday’s NRL 2018 Round 24 match is between Nth Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:55 local time with the game to be played at 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville. The away team Parramatta Eels are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Nth Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels.
When: 19:55 | Friday 24/08/2018
Where: 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville
Preview:
Who would of thought that JT’s final home game would be a fight for the wooden spoon?
Put every emotion and hype aside for a minute because, quite simply that’s what it is.
No, I have no doubt this one will be a great game.
Both teams are much improved and if I was picking which one was I would lean towards, I’d pick the Cowboys.
Emotion will only get them so far in this one before talent and determination takes over.
The north will be packed and rightly so.
His team won’t let him down in this one.
It’s funny that when contracts come around, form also picks up.
I’m talking about Jarryd Hayne (pictured above).
Will he stay? My guess is absolutely.
He’s in his comfort zone there and they are still happy to pay him extreme money to do so.
Not exactly how I would run the club.
Let’s hope this one is memorable for all the right reasons
The Verdict
JT will be the best on the park and his opposite number will be looking for another big one.
The Cowboys lead the Eels 9-7 since 2010.
Unibet Odds:
North Queensland at $1.55
Parramatta at $2.48
Odds:
Tip: Parramatta Eels at $2.58
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Michael Jennings at $17.00
More Info:
Teams:
Nth Queensland Cowboys:
1. Te Maire Martin 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Gideon Gela-mosby 6. Jake Clifford 7. Johnathan Thurston 8. Matthew Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Ben Hampton 15. John Asiata 16. Francis Molo 17. Scott Bolton
Reserves: 18. Ethan Lowe 19. Javid Bowen 20. Shaun Fensom 21. Corey Jensen.
Parramatta Eels: 
1. Corey Norman 2. Jarryd Hayne 3. Michael Jennings 4. Clint Gutherson (c) 5. George Jennings 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Mitch Moses 8. Kane Evans 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Siosaia Vave 11. Marata Niukore 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Peni Terepo
Interchange: 14. Cameron King 15. Tim Mannah (c) 16. David Gower 17. Brad Takairangi
Reserves: 18. Ray Stone 19. Oregon Kaufusi 20. Josh Hoffman 21. Bevan French.
NRL News:
Parramatta chairman Max Donnelly has hit out at fresh claims the club is again cheating the NRL salary cap by providing free or discounted rental properties to its players.
Two years after the Eels were stripped of 12 competition points and fined $1 million for rorting the salary cap, the club is again mired in allegations of financial misconduct.
NSW Gaming and Racing minister Paul Toole confirmed an investigation has begun after allegations made by a former Eels employee to the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA).
“The allegations are serious and will be comprehensively investigated, including liaison with relevant law enforcement and sports integrity bodies,” Toole told News Corp.
In a letter to Eels members on Tuesday, Donnelly said the club moved quickly to meet with the NRL Integrity Unit and salary cap auditors to clear their name.
He categorically denied the allegations, saying the NRL, ILGA, Australian Tax Office and accounting firm Ernst and Young had ticked off on the club’s salary cap between 2017-18.
“The 2017 salary cap was audited by the NRL salary cap auditors and was proven to be compliant,” Donnelly wrote.
“And in 2018 Parramatta was subject to a recent mid-year audit by the NRL salary cap auditors and was proven to be compliant.”
An NRL spokesperson said the governing body is waiting on information from the ILGA before deciding whether to act on the matter.
The media report claimed the whistleblower alleged there were cases where players were charged rent below market value, while electricity bills were also partly paid for by the Eels leagues club.
The report named former and current Eels players Manu Ma’u, David Gower, Semi Radradra, Joseph Paulo and Kenny Edwards to have allegedly lived in leagues-club owned properties.
It is believed all accommodation provided by the club to players must be declared at market value under NRL salary cap regulations.
However there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by the players, and Donnelly promised any living arrangements concerning players have been ratified by the governing body.
“The NRL has consistently reviewed the amount designated to be included in these player payment reconciliations and the NRL salary cap auditors have consistently advised over the last two years that they are comfortable with the amounts provided for any player’s use of any Parra Leagues-owned apartment occupied by a Parramatta Eels player,” Donnelly said.
Donnelly claimed the whistleblower had no involvement in the club’s cap management.
“I am disappointed claims from a disgruntled former employee of Parra Leagues has been aired without due process or the opportunity for the club to provide its position,” he said.
