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The North Queensland Cowboys host the Parramatta Eels in a blockbuster preliminary final at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The Cowboys won through to the second last game of the season after beating the Sharks in a golden point thriller in week one of the finals and will be rested after a week off.
MATCH CENTRE: Cowboys vs Eels teams, SuperCoach scores, videos, updates
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The Eels have had to do it the long way after losing to the Panthers in the first week of the finals, before thrashing the Raiders to advance to the prelim.
Todd Payten confirmed on Thursday the Cowboys would run out as per program, with Luciano Leilua named on the bench where he has played in recent weeks.
The Eels have suffered a blow with Tom Opacic ruled out due to a hamstring injury suffered against the Raiders, with Bailey Simonsson coming into the backline.
Marata Niukore starts with Ryan Matterson switching to the bench.
It remains to be seen if Waqa Blake will switch to centre to allow Simonsson to play in his preferred wing spot.
The battle of in form halves Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend coming up against Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses should be worth the price of admission alone.
Clint Gutherson’s tussle with Scott Drinkwater will also be a key match-up.
However, both sides have built their seasons and the go-forward from their monster packs and Jason Taumalolo and Jeremiah Nanai are real game breakers for the home side.
The Eels will rely heavily on their twin towers Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo up front to set the tone for their formidable power game.
It all goes on the line with the winner the first team through to the 2022 Grand Final, while the loser will have to start planning for next year.
TEAMS
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Coen Hess 17. Griffin Neame. 18th man: 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
Players cut: 19. Tomas Chester 20. Jake Granville 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Ben Hampton
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 19. Bailey Simonsson 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Marata Niukore 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Jakob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi. 18th man: 18. Makahesi Makatoa
Players cut: 4. Tom Opacic 20. Nathan Brown 21. Ofahiki Ogden 22. Ky Rodwell
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