Tom Dearden and the North Queensland Cowboys host Daly Cherry-Evans and the Manly Sea Eagles in a blockbuster clash at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
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MATCH CENTRE: Cowboys vs Sea Eagles teams, scores, videos, updates
In a major change, Jaxon Purdue has been named at five-eighth at the expense of Jake Clifford who has been named in the No.18 jersey. Tom Dearden will wear the No.7 and shift to halfback in what shapes as a huge audition for the 24-year-old in the race for a Queensland spot. Dearden played all three games for the Maroons in 2024 and was one of their better performers at five-eighth, filling in for the injured Cameron Munster. Munster is an automatic selection for Billy Slater, but is Daly Cherry-Evans a certain starter? It’d be a huge call, but the Sea Eagles veteran has been down on form in recent weeks with his contract situation potential burdening the halfback. “The DCE thing, you can’t help but think it is serving as a distraction,” Matty Johns said on the Matty Johns show. Cherry-Evans is likely still the No.1 choice to partner Munster, but that doesn’t rule out Dearden’s chances of featuring in Game I in 2025. The tough and talented playmaker is the frontrunner to win a spot on the bench, which has been vacated after a hamstring injury to veteran Ben Hunt which will see him miss the series opener. Dearden has the ability to play in both halves position and is a true competitor, likely being able to be injected into the middle of the park and give Harry Grant a rest at hooker. “He’s pretty much a young version of Ben Hunt, plays in the halves but can play a little bit of 9 as well,” Queensland legend Cameron Smith said on 100% Footy. “He is a tough customer, built for Origin, we’ve seen what he’s produced for Queensland already. You could throw him anywhere, through the halves, No.9, even through the middle as an extra ball-playing 13. I think he’ll do well.” Meanwhile, Purdue’s selection in the halves could mark a changing of the guard at the Cowboys. The 19-year-old is set to become a free agent come November 1 and the young gun has harboured a desire to play in the halves. If he delivers, the Cowboys have a long-term halves pairing ready to go in Purdue and Dearden. He could also attract big offers from rival clubs. News of Clifford’s axing stunned Fox League’s Paul Crawley. “I was shocked because I thought he’d been in pretty good form this year,” he said on NRL 360.” The Cowboys turned the corner and that coincided with his comeback.” “You’ve got the young bloke in the centres, who’s a potential superstar, he played his juniors in the halves and there’s probably pressure to give him a go.” Gorden Tallis meanwhile described the move as “strange”. “Their last month of footy has been their best month of footy,” he said. “Purdue is a special talent. If he’s a natural half and they want to extend him then maybe that’s part of the thinking,” The Australian’s Andrew Webster added. Clifford, meanwhile, could sign with another club for next season. Elsewhere, Zac Laybutt takes up the vacant centre spot, featuring in his first NRL game since he ruptured his ACL in Round 5 last season.
Jake Trbojevic shifts to lock as the NSW captain looks to return to form in time to hold his Blues spot. That sees Jazz Tevaga shift to hooker and Ethan Bullemor to No. 8 as Jake Simpkin shifts to the bench. Caleb Navale replaces Clayton Faulalo on the pine while veteran prop Matthew Lodge is on the extended bench.
TEAMS
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Kai O’Donnell 18. Jake Clifford 22. Kaiden Lahrs
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Caleb Navale 17. Nathan Brown 18. Michael Chee Kam 21. Joey Walsh
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