Twenty-year-old hooker Reuben Cotter will make his NRL debut when the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys lock horns with the Manly Sea Eagles at 1300SMILES Stadium on Saturday night.
A home-grown North Queensland product, Cotter has been named on the interchange by Cowboys head coach Paul Green for the Round 13 clash.
The Sarina Crocodiles junior has returned to the field this season after consecutive ACL injuries forced him to miss the majority of the 2016, 2017 and 2018 seasons.
In 12 games for the Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Cup, Cotter has scored a team-leading seven tries and is averaging 37 tackles, three tackle breaks and 71 running metres a game.
State of Origin stars Michael Morgan and Josh McGuire have also been named by Green, but will be assessed by club medical staff upon their return to Townsville.
Morgan has been named at fullback for the first time in 2019, with Jordan Kahu sidelined due to a shoulder injury.
Enari Tuala returns to the side on the wing for his first game in the top grade since injuring his quad in the Round 8 victory over the Gold Coast Titans.
Mitch Dunn holds his spot in the centres after an impressive performance against the Titans, as does halfback Jake Clifford.
Cotter is joined on the interchange by second rower Shane Wright and middle forwards Scott Bolton and Francis Molo.
The reserves are made up of forwards Peter Hola, Corey Jensen and Emry Pere along with outside back Javid Bowen.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 7.35pm.
Cowboys team to play Sea Eagles:
1. Michael Morgan (C)
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Mitch Dunn
4. Tom Opacic
5. Enari Tuala
6. John Asiata
7. Jake Clifford
8. Josh McGuire
9. Jake Granville
10. Jordan McLean
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Coen Hess
13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
14. Reuben Cotter
15. Shane Wright
16. Scott Bolton
17. Francis Molo
Reserves
18. Peter Hola
19. Javid Bowen
20. Corey Jensen
21. Emry Pere
