The Manly Sea Eagles kick-started their season with a surprising win over the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday night.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
North Queensland Cowboys 8
Manly Sea Eagles 30
The North Queensland Cowboys are looking to maintain their unbeaten run when they host the Manly Sea Eagles. Join The Roar from 9pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
Coming off a thrilling golden point win over Queensland rivals the Brisbane Broncos, the Cowboys will be looking for a more decisive win over a struggling Manly side.
Johnathan Thurston came to rescue again, kicking a picture-perfect field goal to give his side the 21-10 win in North Queensland’s second golden point win in as many games.
The Cowboys are less than 100 per cent, with Matt Scott, Jason Taumalolo, Lachlan Coote and Antonio Winterstein missing this clash, leaving both the pack and backline exposed.
Nate Myles will be looking to expose these gaps when he leads his forwards in a must-win game for Manly.
The Cowboys are off to a good start this year, undefeated to day with a 20-16 win over the Canberra Raiders and a golden point win over the Brisbane Broncos last weekend.
Manly, on the other hand, are at the opposite end of the scale – they lost to the Eels 12-20 in Round 1, and the Rabbitohs 18-38 in Round 2.
Despite losing two in a row, the Sea Eagles do have the quality to win this game.
The Trbojevic brothers look dangerous every time they get the ball and if Daly Cherry-Evans can find some space he will give the Cowboys a lot to think about.
Prediction
Manly have struggled to get the ball they need to give the likes of Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic space, and with the Cowboys averaging a completion rate of 81 per cent, it’s not like their making many mistakes.
If North Queensland can continue to control the ball, they should get their third straight win.
Cowboys by 8
Join The Roar from 9pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
Phillzill
Guest
What now shoulder charge is send off affence chekin let cowboys get away with it against Bronco's twice OMG
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
I said in the Pre-Season that the Cows forwards would struggle without Tamou and Hannant. Now with Scott out, they are SHOT. Fancy losing to Manly at Home with 4 Front Rowers out? PATHETIC.
Dj01
Guest
Don't see much of an improvement with Taumalolo back either. It's a lot easier for defenses to give all their attention to one player (Taumalolo) without Scott there Taumalolo's impact is limited. Scott is massive loss for their forwards, his absence will be felt.
Keith Sheldon
Roar Guru
Our attack was a little all over the shop and you can tell there are still problems there. DCE or Walker would shake off a tackle and have no support runners close to the opposition line. But I can't fault Manly's defence. For a team with two props playing, one of them being Nate Myles we played ridiculously well.
chump
Guest
lolo will make a difference when he's back. Ponga was a bit found out tonight, but it would have been very hard for him with the forwards putting down that platform.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined The Roar for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: North Queensland Cowboys 8 - 30 Manly Sea Eagles
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
80' - The Sea Eagles get the ball back off the kick-off, and eventually the siren sounds for full time. What a win for Manly. COWBOYS 8 SEA EAGLES 30
Dj01
Guest
Cowboys are goneski this year without Matt Scott.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
79' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Walker successfully converts for the seventh time. COWBOYS 8 SEA EAGLES 30
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
78' - TRY SEA EAGLES Lane makes a great run before getting the offload to Hastings who puts the ball down near the posts! COWBOYS 8 SEA EAGLES 28
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
76' - Manly manage to hold off the Cowboys once again, but have a line dropout. Cowboys to get yet another set of six. COWBOYS 8 SEA EAGLES 24
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
74' - Ponga knocks the ball on and once again the Sea Eagles survive! What defence from Manly! They will get the scrum feed from 10 out of their own try line. COWBOYS 8 SEA EAGLES 24
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
73' - It's another penalty for the Cowboys. Is there a sin binning looming? COWBOYS 8 SEA EAGLES 24
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
72' - Morgan is held up on tackle four. What do North Queensland have to do to score? COWBOYS 8 SEA EAGLES 24
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
71' - Cowboys win a penalty and will restart the tackle count from Manly's 10 metre line. They are probing and probing, but the Sea Eagles are defending incredible well. COWBOYS 8 SEA EAGLES 24
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
69' - The Cowboys have just over 10 minutes to score three tries. They can't seem to get anything on the board, but they do get to restart their attack after a Manly knock-on from inside their own 10. COWBOYS 8 SEA EAGLES 24
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
68' - Trbojevic gives away a penalty and the Cowboys will get another chance to attack. COWBOYS 8 SEA EAGLES 24
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
66' - Cowboys get back-to-back sets as they look to regain some of their early momentum. The Sea Eagles are defending very well. COWBOYS 8 SEA EAGLES 24
Joe
Roar Rookie
Cowboys just keep making mistakes and Manly are playing really good footy. Best I've seen them play in a while. Koroisau sniping and DCE earning his money. Cowboys forwards are struggling big time.