The Cowboys travelled to Sydney for the second week in a row in round 7, this time to Gosford where they took on Manly on Good Friday.

Where and when: Saturday, Apr 26, Townsville Stadium, FOX, 5:30pm

The Cowboys were looking for an improved effort after a disappointing loss to the West Tigers 16 – 4 and in the first half, produced just that, scoring three first half tries, one to Kyle Feldt  and a double to Brett Tate, which enabled them to take a 14 – 6 lead into the break.

Special Offer: $400 Nth Queensland Cowboys vs Parramatta Eels FREE BET

Scoring first when play resumed, the Cowboys established a comfortable lead but two quick tries to the home-side in the 67^th and 71^st minute, had the scores locked up and the Cowboys searching for the finishing line.

The Cowboys looked set to reach it when Thurston slotted a field goal with five minutes left to play but a controversially try to Manly’s Jamie Buhrer, handed the Cowboys an agonising 26 – 21 loss – their fifth of the season.

They’ll look forward to returning to Townsville for the first time in three weeks where their record reads two wins and a loss. The wins have come over the Newcaslte Knights and Canberra Raiders who sit 14^th and 15^th on the ladder respectively. The loss come against the struggling Warriors so the home-record probably reads a little better than it actually is.

This week they’ll face the Parramatta Eels who suffered a 21 – 18 loss to West Tigers on Easter Monday.

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It was a game the Eels should’ve won. Two intercepts passes allowed the Tigers to run in two length-of-the-field tries and poor handling late in the game when scores were locked, gifted the Tigers the opportunity to slot a field goal which they capitalized on.

After wins against Brisbane and the Roosters, a win last week would’ve given the Eels a full head of steam heading into this clash and probably have seen them installed the favourites however, in early markets they are $2.50 despite having a better record than Cowboys this season.

What does tip the market in favour of the Cowboys is their recent record over the Eels. They’ve won the last three clashes between the two sides and by comfortably margins when playing at home.

The Eels of 2014 however are a completely different outfit to the Parramatta sides of recent years and on their efforts this season, the $2.50 head to head or even with the 5.5 start, should be given close consideration.

Odds Comparison:

Nth Queensland Cowboys	1.51	1.50	1.51	1.50	1.51	1.50
Parramatta Eels	2.65	2.65	2.60	2.65	2.65	2.65

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Teams:

Nth Queensland Cowboys:
Michael Morgan, Matthew Wright, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett, Curtis Rona, Johnathan Thurston, Ray Thompson, Matthew Scott, Rory Kostjasyn, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Jason Taumalolo, Tariq Sims. Interchange: Anthony Mitchell, Joel Riethmuller, Ashton Sims, Scott Bolton, Glenn Hall, Ethan Lowe
Ins: Kane Linnett, Anthony Mitchell, Joel Riethmuller, Ethan Lowe
Outs: Kyle Feldt, Robert Lui (both dropped)
Other unavailables: Antonio Winterstein (hamstring, round 10), Lachlan Coote (ACL, season), Hezron Murgha (knee, round 10), Patrick Kaufusi (pectoral, season)

Parramatta Eels:
Jarryd Hayne (c), Semi Radradra, Will Hopoate, Willie Tonga, Ken Sio, Corey Norman, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah (c), Nathan Peats, Fuifui Moimoi, Pauli Pauli, Manu Ma’u, Joseph Paulo. Interchange: Darcy Lussick, Mitch Allgood, David Gower, Peni Terepo
Ins: Peni Terepo
Outs: Kenny Edwards (fractured hand, round 12)
Other unavailables: Ben Smith (finger, round nine), Jacob Loko (knee, indefinite), Lee Mossop (shoulder, mid-season)