Parramatta will look to tap into the same resilience and determination that carried them to victory over the Dragons as they prepare to host the Cowboys, who are eager to rebound from their Magic Round defeat.
The Eels were inspired by a standout performance from PNG enforcer Elsie Albert, whose try sparked a second-half comeback after she broke through five defenders.
However, the triumph came at a cost, with three key players suffering injuries.
Coach Steve Georgallis will now rely heavily on the team’s mix of emerging talents and seasoned players to rise to the occasion against North Queensland.
The Cowboys started strongly against the Warriors, opening the scoring, but faded as the game progressed. They’ll be determined to reset and respond with a more complete performance against Parramatta.
Game Info
Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025
Kick-off: 6:15 PM AEST
Venue: Commbank Stadium, Parramatta
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Broadcast: Foxtel and Nine
Live Stream: Kayo & Nine Now
Team Lists
Parramatta Eels
1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Fleur Ginn 4. Lindsay Tui 5. Martha Mataele 6. Rosemarie Beckett 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Rueben Cherrington 10. Breanna Eales 11.Chloe Jackson 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Ryvrr-Lee Alo 14. Taneka Todhunter 15. Paige Travis 16. Tess McWilliams 17. Tyla Amiatu 18. Ruby-Jean Kennard 19. Kiana Takairangi 20. Jessica Kennedy 21. Chelsea Makira
Promising youngster Fleur Ginn has been named to start in the centres, replacing the injured Rory Owen. Rosemarie Beckett slots in at five-eighth for Cassey Tohi-Hiku, who sustained an ankle injury in last week’s win over the Dragons.
Beckett returns to the NRLW side following a successful comeback through the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership. Kennedy Cherrington has also been sidelined after suffering a concussion, with Tess McWilliams and Tyla Amiatu called onto the bench as fresh inclusions.
North Queensland Cowboys
1. Jakiya Whitfeld 2. Krystal Blackwell 3. Abigail Roache 4. Jasmine Peters 5. Francesca Goldthorp 6. Kirra Dibb 7. Tahlulah Tillett 8. Makenzie Weale 9. Emma Manzelmann 10.Lily Peacock 11. Tallisha Harden 12. Hailee-Jay Maunsell 13. Bree Chester 14. Alisha Foord 15. Lillian Yarrow 16. Lily Dick 17. Essay Banu 18. Ebony Raftstrand-Smith 19.Ana Malupo 20. Rosie Kelly 21. China Polata 22. Tafao Asaua
Captain Kirra Dibb has been recalled and is set to play her first match since Round 2, named at five-eighth alongside Tahlulah Tillett in the halves. As a result, Rosie Kelly shifts to the reserves.
There are a few minor adjustments in the forward pack, with Lily Peacock promoted to the starting side and Lillian Yarrow moving back to the bench. Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell has again been listed to start, while Essay Banu is on the interchange, though the pair have swapped roles late in the past two rounds. Lily Dick joins the bench, replacing Najvada George.
The Game
The Round 5 clash between the Eels and Dragons was a tightly contested affair, ultimately decided by an earlier penalty goal following Raecene McGregor’s sin bin for dangerous contact. After battling through wild conditions and finishing with less possession, the Eels edged ahead with their higher completion rate proving to be instrumental.
Parramatta will aim to build on that gritty victory despite naming an enforced reshuffled lineup.
The Eels will be relying on their spine to establish early cohesion. Rosemarie Beckett’s return shapes as a crucial factor for the Eels. Partnering with Rachel Pearson, the young half will be tasked with steering an attack that hasn’t quite gelled in 2025 and will now be without Rory Owen. Cutting down on costly, momentum-halting errors is a must.
Abbi Church
With the aforementioned new halves pairing, expect Abbi Church to step into more of a playmaking role. Elsie Albert’s power game through the middle will again be vital, but she too will look to tidy up the loose moments that allowed the Dragons back into the contest.
For the Cowboys, all eyes are on skipper Kirra Dibb. Her return will provide a significant boost for their chances. Dibb offers a more structured attack, and her kicking game and composed game management could be the difference in a contest likely to come down to small moments.
Kirra Dibb
This one is shaping up to be a genuine 50-50 call. The Eels’ injuries might leave them a touch vulnerable, especially in the middle, and the Cowboys will be fired up to reclaim momentum after last week’s defeat.
Considering the confidence the Eels would have gained in navigating last week’s injuries to earn their victory over the Dragons, I expect them to emerge victorious even with the odds stacked against them.
Prediction: Eels by 6
Player of the Game: Rachael Pearson
Kye
Looking forward to 4 hours of the Blue and Gold double header. The NRLW will be interesting to see if our team can improve in a couple of aspects to go with their strong effort and competitive attitude. Cutting down opponents ball running space, and more plays to force opportunities in red zone attack would boost their game.
Gee that was a disappointing performance by the girls. Showed very little in attack and could only go one out. On the rare moment they tried to play wide they dropped the ball. Salinger Fay in the wing was pretty poor defensively as well failing to make two one on one tackles resulting in tries.
Shout out to Fleur Ginn who really stood up today.
Probably Rachel Pearsons worst game in the colours and I don’t know what happened to Todhunter , she looks like she’s playing in slow motion and her service continues to be poor.
I know she can be better but Cherrington is all over her at the moment.
We got what we served up today, just too many players not concentrating at crucial moments.
Poor dropping bomb by Church and Fay but Church as the incumbent SOO fullback, just had to do better.
Steve Georgialis would be very disappointed.