NRL $1,500+ Cowboys v Eels Line-Up

The Eels have won their last two matches to claw their way back to tenth on the ladder and will be desperate to get another victory to move into the top eight. The Cowboys are dealing with a raft of injuries, but might see the return of superstar Johnathan Thurston who they have named on their extended interchange.

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Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $1,500+ Cowboys v Eels competition

Front Row Forward

Jason Taumalolo ($15,100)

Taumalolo has been phenomenal this season, showing no signs of a Dally M hangover as he’s averaged 65.6 Draftstars points. His running game is unparalleled and it constantly leads to over 200 metres gained as well as multiple tackle breaks. Not only is he dangerous as a ball runner, but Taumalolo consistently posts solid tackle numbers which means that his scoring is still solid even when he’s not dominating.

Nathan Brown ($13,250)

Brown is in the midst of a career-best season in his first year in the blue and gold and has been rewarded with an increase in playing time in recent weeks. The aggressive forward has been a standout for a struggling Eels pack and has even stood up as a leader despite his limited experience. Brown has been throwing his weight around in attack, breaking twelve tackles in the last four weeks and has been a consistent tackler, laying between 35 and 39 tackles in the five weeks he’s started. Expect another score from the much-improved forward.

Hooker

Kaysa Pritchard ($9,450)

Similarly to Brown, Prichard has found himself in a rich vein of form at the Eels this season after settling into a starting role. He currently sits behind just Andrew McCullough and Cameron McInnes for tackles made this season, which has led to some great Draftstars scores from the diminutive rake. In the last couple of weeks he’s also shown a bit of zip and creativity out of dummy-half which has led to an increase in his attacking stats.

Second Row Forward

Gavin Cooper ($11,500)

The veteran Cowboy has been massive this season – and not just because he’s nearly two metres tall! Cooper has been played the full game in every game this season and his no-frills approach has been crucial to their success. Defensively, he’s been a workhorse and is averaging over 32 tackles a game and has displayed some excellent leadership for his young team to aspire to. Last week he even chipped in with a try on a heads-up play, which shows that the veteran has the ability to influence the game in attack as well.

Coen Hess ($9,500)

Hess is one of the most exciting young prospects in the league at the moment due to his line breaking running game. The Ivan Drago doppelgänger has crashed across the line six times this season which gives him an upside that is unparalleled by the second-rowers in this contest. He’s not a downhill skier though and his tackling numbers are always solid, so lock him in and watch him tear up on the edge.

Centre

Justin O’Neill ($5,500)

The centres in this contest are tough to say the least. Not one of the available options averaged over 28 Draftstars points last year and none of them averaged below 23.2, which makes for a bit of a mess. Justin O’Neill – the incumbent Maroons centre – is the cheapest of the lot and has started to find his feet in recent weeks after a slow start to the year. It’s a lottery in this contest, but O’Neill is due for a big game and will be keen to stand up against his opposite number in Origin, Michael Jennings.

Half

Corey Norman ($13,150)

Assuming that JT won’t play, Norman is easily the pick of the halves. Last week he lit up the Panthers, crossing for two tries, assisting another and breaking five tackles as he guided the Eels to victory. Norman was asked to shoulder even more of a kicking burden last week when five-eighth Brad Takairangi went down with a knee injury and considering his replacement, Kenny Edwards, is primarily a back-rower, Norman will be relied on for nearly all of the kicking duties once again. If he can add some of his exhilarating runs to this, he will be in for a massive score.

Wing/Fullback

Clinton Gutherson ($9,300)

Semi Radradra is certainly an enticing option given the Cowboys woes defending the edge, but his propensity to throw in a score below ten means that teammate Gutherson gets the nod. Gutherson has been excellent this season and has transitioned well into his customary fullback role, serving as an extra creator and dangerous runner in Bevan French’s absence.

Kalyn Ponga ($8,950)

After taking over from the injured Lachlan Coote as the Cowboys’ custodian, whizz-kid Ponga has shown exactly why Newcastle risked paying such a hefty sum for his services. A two-try performance against the Knights, ironically, showed just how damaging he can be and there is no doubt he’ll be looking to slice through the Eels line in a similar manner. Ponga has recorded seven line breaks and 28 tackle breaks in his five games this season, which highlights just how dangerous he is as well as how well he’s scoring.

The Line Up

FR-F: Jason Taumalolo ($15,100)

FR-F: Nathan Brown ($13,250)

HOOK: Kaysa Pritchard ($9,450)

2R-F: Gavin Cooper ($11,550)

2R-F: Coen Hess ($9,500)

C: Justin O’Neill ($5,500)

HALF: Corey Norman ($13,150)

W/FB: Clinton Gutherson ($9,300)

W/FB: Kalyn Ponga ($8,950)

Salary Remaining: $4,250