The Sharks will look to get their season back on track when they head to North Queensland to meet with fellow newcomers the Cowboys, who are one win ahead heading into Round 5.
Having fallen from fourth to ninth on the ladder after going down to the Wests Tigers and Roosters in recent weeks, the Sharks will be desperate to rediscover the form they opened the season with in their first up victory over the Raiders.
With injuries and suspensions forcing several changes over the past fortnight the new franchise have struggled to produce a 70-minute performance in their recent clashes but sooner or later an early lead must result in a win for the Sharks.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys will be desperate to claim their first victory on home turf after going down to the Broncos 40-12 in front of their faithful in Round 2.
With Indigenous All Stars duo Kirra Dibb and Tahlulah Tillett putting the competition on notice in their first outing as a halves pairing last week, Ben Jeffries' side will be riding high on the back of a last-ditch win over the Wests Tigers.
Match: Cowboys v Sharks
Round 5 -
home Team
Cowboys
9th Position
away Team
Sharks
7th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Cowboys: Several late changes on game day with Sera Koroi named to start at hooker and Emma Manzelmann shifting to the bench. Vitalina Naikore dropped out on Saturday with forward Jessikah Reeves replacing her on the interchange bench. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith (head knock) returns at No. 17 while Bree Chester moves into the back row. Tallisha Harden will return at prop after failing to finish last week due to a knee concern.
harks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Fullback Jada Taylor returns from an ankle injury with Emma Tonegato shifting back into the halves and Maddie Studdon to the reserves. Kiana Takairangi has been dropped with Georgia Ravics coming onto the wing for an NRLW debut. Chloe Saunders starts at lock with Brooke Anderson to come off the bench while Harata Butler took a $400 fine over a one-match ban for a hip-drop tackle and has been included in the 17.
Match: Cowboys v Sharks
Round 5 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca GoldthorpFullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada Taylor
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 China PolataWinger for Sharks is number 2 Georgia Ravics
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jasmine PetersCentre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Mia MiddletonCentre for Sharks is number 4 Annessa Biddle
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Autumn-Rain Stephens-DalyWinger for Sharks is number 5 Andie Robinson
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tahlulah TillettFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Emma Tonegato
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Kirra DibbHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Tayla Preston
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Tallisha HardenProp for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 14 Sera KoroiHooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 April NgatupunaProp for Sharks is number 10 Holli Wheeler
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Shaniah Power2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 16 Bree Chester2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Makenzie WealeLock for Sharks is number 13 Chloe Saunders
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 9 Emma ManzelmannInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Sereana Naitokatoka
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Tiana Raftstrand-SmithInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Harata Butler
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 Sareka MookaInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Brooke Anderson
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 21 Jessikah ReevesInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Tegan Dymock
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Jetaya FaifuaReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Cassie Staples
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- This is the first time the Sharks and Cowboys will meet in the NRLW.
- The Cowboys have conceded the most penalties this season (29), only one more than the Sharks who have conceded 28.
- Cronulla playmaker Tayla Preston leads the competition in kick metres with 1,362.
