Cowboys vs Eels
Round 10 2026, Friday 8 May 2026
Verdict: Cowboys by 10
CowboysEels
Result: Eels 33 defeated Cowboys 30 ✗ Tip wrong
Match facts
- Kick-off
- Fri 8 May, 8:00pm AEST
- Venue
- Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
- Ladder going in
- Cowboys 6th, Eels 15th
- Referee
- Liam Kennedy
- Crowd
- 17,626
- Weather
- Fine, slippery ground
How the experts tipped
Cowboys 100%0% Eels
| Expert | Tip | Tip correct |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Baker | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Chris Barrett | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Zoe Samios | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Zac Bailey | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Frances Howe | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Christian Nicolussi | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Billie Eder | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Adrian Proszenko | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Dan Walsh | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Andrew Johns | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Emma Kemp | Cowboys | ✗ |
| Neil Breen | Cowboys | ✗ |
Going in
| Club | Ladder going in | Last five, oldest first | Model rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowboys | 6th | WWLWW | -0.3 |
| Eels | 15th | LLWLL | -5.5 |
Last five games
Cowboys
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 9 | at Bulldogs | W 28–12 |
| Round 8 | v Sharks | W 46–34 |
| Round 7 | v Sea Eagles | L 6–38 |
| Round 6 | at Broncos | W 35–31 |
| Round 5 | at Dragons | W 32–0 |
Eels
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 9 | v Warriors | L 14–36 |
| Round 8 | at Sea Eagles | L 18–33 |
| Round 7 | v Bulldogs | W 38–20 |
| Round 6 | v Titans | L 10–52 |
| Round 5 | v Wests Tigers | L 20–22 |
Head to head since 2024
| Season | Round | Game | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Round 24 | Eels v Cowboys | 32–30 | CommBank Stadium |
| 2025 | Round 23 | Eels v Cowboys | 19–18 | CommBank Stadium |
| 2024 | Round 6 | Eels v Cowboys | 27–20 | CommBank Stadium |
Team lists
Cowboys
- 1 Scott Drinkwater Fullback
- 2 Braidon Burns Winger
- 3 Jaxon Purdue Centre
- 4 Tom Chester Centre
- 5 Zac Laybutt Winger
- 6 Jake Clifford Five-Eighth
- 7 Tom Dearden (c) Halfback
- 8 Coen Hess Interchange
- 9 Reed Mahoney Hooker
- 10 Jason Taumalolo Prop
- 11 Heilum Luki 2nd Row
- 12 Sam McIntyre 2nd Row
- 13 Reuben Cotter (c) Lock
- 14 Soni Luke Interchange
- 15 Griffin Neame Interchange
- 16 Thomas Mikaele Prop
- 17 Matthew Lodge Interchange
- 20 Kai O'Donnell Reserve
- 22 Robert Derby Reserve
Coach: Todd Payten
Eels
- 1 Joash Papalii Fullback
- 2 Brian Kelly Winger
- 3 Jordan Samrani Centre
- 4 Sean Russell Centre
- 5 Josh Addo-Carr Winger
- 6 Ronald Volkman Five-Eighth
- 7 Mitchell Moses (c) Halfback
- 8 Luca Moretti Prop
- 9 Tallyn Da Silva Hooker
- 10 Junior Paulo Interchange
- 11 Kelma Tuilagi 2nd Row
- 12 Jack Williams 2nd Row
- 13 Jack De Belin Lock
- 14 Dylan Walker Interchange
- 15 Saxon Pryke Interchange
- 16 Toni Mataele Interchange
- 17 Charlie Guymer Prop
- 18 Apa Twidle Reserve
- 19 Teancum Brown Reserve
Coach: Jason Ryles
Numbers as named by each club on nrl.com. Changes are measured against the club's previous game.
Why the model leaned this way
Going in, Cowboys rated -0.3 and Eels -5.5 on our scale, a gap of 5.2 points, plus 4.5 points for playing at their own ground.
Scoring
- Cowboys
- Tries Heilum Luki 9', Jake Clifford 28', Jaxon Purdue 50', Reed Mahoney 55', Tom Chester 67'
- Goals 5/5
- Half-time 12
- Eels
- Tries Brian Kelly 2', Tallyn Da Silva 21', Josh Addo-Carr 47', Josh Addo-Carr 59', Jordan Samrani 74', Joash Papalii 76'
- Goals 3/6, pen Ronald Volkman 81'
- Field goals Mitchell Moses 80'
- Half-time 10
Draw, teams and scoring: nrl.com match centre. Expert tips: The Sydney Morning Herald panel.