The official team lists are in for Eels vs Cowboys, with several changes creating fresh betting opportunities. Parramatta hand Apa Twidle the No.1 jersey after Isaiah Iongi’s season-ending knee injury, while North Queensland welcome Reed Mahoney back from concussion.
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Biggest Winners – Eels
Apa Twidle
Twidle takes over at fullback following Iongi’s injury, giving him considerably more involvement in Parramatta’s attack and kick returns.
Our Tip: Apa Twidle – Over Run Metres
Mitchell Moses
Moses remains at halfback and should carry plenty of Parramatta’s attacking responsibility alongside Ronald Volkman. Twidle’s introduction at fullback gives him a new support option around the middle.
Our Tip: Mitchell Moses – 1+ Try Assist
Josh Addo-Carr
Addo-Carr retains his spot on the wing and remains one of Parramatta’s most dangerous finishers. If Moses can create enough attacking field position, his speed makes him the Eels’ standout try-scoring option.
Our Tip: Josh Addo-Carr – Anytime Try Scorer
Biggest Losers – Eels
Isaiah Iongi
Iongi has suffered a season-ending knee injury, removing Parramatta’s first-choice fullback and forcing Twidle into the No.1 jersey.
Betting impact: His absence makes Parramatta’s new-look fullback combination something punters need to factor into both Eels attacking markets and Cowboys try-scoring markets.
Ryley Price
Tallyn Da Silva has been promoted to starting hooker, with Price dropping back to the reserves.
Our Tip: Tallyn Da Silva – Over Tackles
Eels Edge Defence
The Cowboys retain Scott Drinkwater, Murray Taulagi, Heilum Luki and Kai O’Donnell in their starting side and have plenty of size and strike on the edges.
Our Tip: Murray Taulagi – Anytime Try Scorer
Biggest Winners – Cowboys
Reed Mahoney
Mahoney returns from concussion and immediately reclaims the starting hooker role, with Soni Luke moving back to the interchange. It’s the only change to the Cowboys’ starting side that beat the Titans 30-8.
Our Tip: Reed Mahoney – Over Tackles
Scott Drinkwater
Drinkwater remains at fullback and gets an intriguing matchup against an Eels side forced to introduce Twidle at No.1 following Iongi’s injury.
Our Tip: Scott Drinkwater – Anytime Try Scorer
Murray Taulagi
Taulagi remains on North Queensland’s left wing and should again be one of the primary beneficiaries if Drinkwater, Clifford and Purdue create space on the edges.
Our Tip: Murray Taulagi – Anytime Try Scorer
Biggest Losers – Cowboys
Soni Luke
Mahoney’s return pushes Luke back to the interchange after two weeks as the starting hooker.
Betting impact: The move makes Luke’s tackle and running markets much less appealing because his minutes should fall.
Matthew Lodge
Lodge drops off the interchange following the Cowboys’ changes for Round 24.
Betting impact: His absence leaves more of the middle workload to Griffin Neame, Jason Taumalolo, Reuben Cotter and the Cowboys’ bench forwards.
Cowboys Right Edge
Parramatta still possess genuine attacking quality through Will Penisini and Josh Addo-Carr, while Moses can shift the point of attack quickly.
Our Tip: Josh Addo-Carr – Anytime Try Scorer
Early Betting Verdict
The team lists create some strong try scorer, tackle and playmaker markets, with Iongi’s absence and Mahoney’s return the two biggest selection changes.
Murray Taulagi – Anytime Try Scorer
Parramatta’s reshuffled backline gives North Queensland’s outside backs an interesting matchup, and Taulagi remains one of their premier finishers.
Our Tip: Murray Taulagi – Anytime Try Scorer
Scott Drinkwater – Anytime Try Scorer
Drinkwater should be heavily involved around a Cowboys attack that produced 30 points against Gold Coast last week. His support play also makes him dangerous if North Queensland’s forwards win the middle.
Our Tip: Scott Drinkwater – Anytime Try Scorer
Josh Addo-Carr – Anytime Try Scorer
Parramatta still have enough attacking quality through Moses to create chances, and Addo-Carr remains the Eels player I’d target first in try-scoring markets.
Our Tip: Josh Addo-Carr – Anytime Try Scorer
Reed Mahoney – Tackles
Mahoney goes straight back into the starting No.9 jersey. His defensive workload through the middle makes his tackle line one of the most obvious player props created by the team changes.
Our Tip: Reed Mahoney – Over Tackles
Mitchell Moses – Try Assists
The Eels came from 28-0 down to almost steal last week’s match against South Sydney, eventually losing 28-24, and Moses remains the key man behind their attack.
Our Tip: Mitchell Moses – 1+ Try Assist
Apa Twidle – Run Metres
A move into the No.1 jersey should bring plenty of carries through kick returns and early-set work.
Our Tip: Apa Twidle – Over Run Metres
Best Bet From The Team Lists
Murray Taulagi – Anytime Try Scorer
Iongi’s season-ending injury forces another change to Parramatta’s backline, while the Cowboys arrive with virtually the same starting side that comfortably beat the Titans.
Taulagi is the player I’d target to capitalise if North Queensland can turn their advantage in continuity into attacking opportunities on the edges.
Value Bet
Scott Drinkwater – Anytime Try Scorer
Drinkwater offers a different way to attack the same matchup. His support play through the middle gives him scoring opportunities that don’t rely solely on North Queensland reaching Parramatta’s line and shifting wide.
Our Tip: Scott Drinkwater – Anytime Try Scorer
