Two teams, each with one win under their belts, are set to clash in a match that will challenge their defensive strengths.

After being kept scoreless in their Round 1 defeat, the Cowboys responded with a thrilling 38-34 victory over the Dragons. 

Key to their success were doubles from Tiana Raftstrand-Smith and Jakiya Whitfeld, which helped them edge past a tenacious Dragons side. 

Meanwhile, the Eels, following their impressive opening-round win, narrowly missed out in an 18-16 loss to the Sharks. 

Despite holding 62 per cent possession and leading 10-6 at halftime, Parramatta couldn’t withstand the Sharks’ comeback. 

Eels coach Steve Georgallis acknowledged the match as a learning experience for his still-developing team. 

Game Info

Date: Sunday, August 11, 2024

Kick-off: 12:00 PM AEST

Venue: Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane

Referee: Nick Pelgrave

Broadcast: Foxtel and Nine Gem

Live Stream: Kayo & Nine Now

Team Lists

Parramatta Eels

1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Rory Owen 4. Rosie Kelly 5. Monique Donovan 6. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Taneka Todhunter 10. Madeline Jones 11. Chloe Jackson 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Kennedy Cherrington 14. Rosemarie Beckett 15. Tyla Amiatu 16. Jade Fonua 17. Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis 

18. Tafao Asauna 19. Breanna Eales 20. Chelsea Makira 21. Kate Fallon 22. Pihuka Berryman-Duff

The Eels remain unchanged for their matchup against the Cowboys. That’s good news for an Eels team that was hammered by injuries in 2023.

North Queensland Cowboys

1. Krystal Blackwell 2. Fran Goldthorp 3. Jakiya Whitfield 4. Jasmine Peters 5. Ebony Raftstrand-Smith 6. Tahlulah Tillett 7. Kirra Dibb 8. Tallisha Harden 9. Emma Manzelmann 10. Essay Banu 11. China Polata 12. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith 13. Bree Chester 14. Alisha Foord 15. Lily Peacock 16. Sareka Mooka 17. Lillian Yarrow

18. Shaniah Power 19. Jetaya Faifua 20. Harata Butler 21. Libby Surha 22. Shellie Long

Last week marked a complete attacking turnaround for the Cowboys, who had failed to score in their opening match against the Cronulla Sharks. Doubles from Tiana Raftstrand-Smith and Jakiya Whitfeld were amongst the seven tries scored and helped secure the Cowboys’ first win of the season in what was a dazzling attacking performance. 

After playing much of last week’s match against the Dragons at fullback, Blackwell has been named to start in the same position, while England star Francesca Goldthorp shifts to the wing. 

Young prop Lillian Yarrow is set to make her NRLW debut from the bench, with Shaniah Power listed as the 18th player. 

Yarrow missed the entire 2023 season due to an ACL injury but made an impressive return earlier this year, playing in the BMD Premiership with the Mackay Cutters.

Co-captain Tallisha Harden, who swapped positions on game day last week, has been named to start, with junior representative star Lily Peacock coming off the bench. 

That Good With The Bad in PARRAdise 

Parramatta conceded crucial tries in both halves in allowing Cronulla to secure last week’s game. Goal kicking ultimately decided the outcome in the 18-16 loss. 

Although still relatively new to the game, centre Rory Owen impressed with her second try in as many matches, making 181 run metres. 

Though the Eels dominated in possession and metres gained, they became frustrated at times by the Sharks staunch goal-line defence. Second-half tries from Jada Taylor and Annessa Biddle then sealed the victory for the Sharks.

Chloe Jackson impressed in her debut and took on a significant workload on both sides of the ball. She ran for around 100 meters and delivered 32 tackles in a well-rounded performance.

Look for her late footwork at the line to trouble the Cowboys defence.

The Game

Bree Chester’s 181 running metres and Lily Peacock’s 125 metres off the bench, along with seven tackle breaks, were standouts last weekend in a Cowboys team capable of troubling opponents across the park.

However, their discipline remains a concern, with 11 penalties conceded last week, adding to the seven from Round 1. This is an area coach Ricky Henry will likely emphasise as they prepare to face a Parramatta side that has made significant strides in all facets of the game in 2024.

Elsie Albert has been outstanding for Parramatta in her two games this season. The PNG international has already racked up 13 tackle breaks and is averaging 120 running metres per game. The Eels will be looking for her to continue to challenge defenders in a Cowboys side that has missed only 34 tackles across their first two games. Expect to see plenty of Albert early on, with Kennedy Cherrington pushing through the middle to create opportunities for Pearson and Rory Owen to exploit any tired defenders.

The aforementioned Lily Peacock has arguably been the most impactful bench forward in the competition so far in 2024. Averaging over 140 metres per game in just 54 minutes of play, and at only 19 years old, Peacock’s future looks incredibly bright. Like Albert and Cherrington, keep an eye on Peacock and Bree Chester as they target the Eels’ halves close to the try line this weekend.

Defensively, the Eels have improved out of sight, especially on their line. Multiple try-saving tackles last week left fans singing their praises despite the loss. They’ll need to replicate some of last week’s tenacity on their goal line against a Cowboys side that looks like they’ve found their attacking mojo.

North Queensland have yet to deliver a complete performance, either struggling to score or conceding six tries. Although Parramatta have had their past challenges on the road, I’m backing them to edge out their opponents in a close contest, with defence being the deciding factor.

Prediction: Eels by 4

Player of the Game: Kennedy Cherrington

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