Johnathan Thurston has the Cowboys rolling at 2-0 despite not playing their best football to start their 2017 campaign. But as all good sides do, they find a way.

This week, they will be without three key and experienced players in Antonio Winterstein, Lachlan Coote and Matt Scott - the latter who is out for the season with an ACL injury. However, that still shouldn't bother them at home against a team who has failed to open their 2017 account. Jason Taumalolo will also miss through suspension.

Kalyn Ponga starts in the number one jersey in what should be a mouth-watering duel with Tom Trbojevic however if the Sea Eagles defence leaks points like they did to end last weekend's matchup against Souths, it could get ugly up north.

Cowboys by 14

Sea Eagles 30 (Jorge Taufua, Tom Trbojevic, Brenton Lawrence, Jackson Hastings tries; Dylan Walker 7 goals) def. Cowboys (Jake Granville, tries; Johnathan Thurston 2 goals) at 1300Smiles Stadium. Half-time: 14-8. Crowd: 14,763