The Cowboys are out to solidify their place inside the top eight when they host the Sharks on Saturday night.
The Cowboys secured a crucial two points with a tense victory over the Bulldogs on Sunday to ensure they remained in eighth place after 20 rounds.
North Queensland are one of four teams on 24 competition points, with the Raiders in 10th place on 22 points and a further three teams on 20.
That means every game for the Cowboys is crucial in the run to the finals and they are determined to make it two in a row this weekend.
Cronulla will travel to Townsville full of confidence having claimed a dominant 42-6 victory over North Queensland in Round 7.
The Sharks have had a week off to freshen up after a convincing 52-point win over Wests Tigers a fortnight ago.
Craig Fitzgibbon's side currently sits third on the ladder and their eager to maintain their place inside the top four.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Cowboys v Sharks
Team News
Cowboys: Queensland winger Murray Taulagi will return from a hamstring injury after being added to the starting side on Friday night. There was less positive news for forward Heilum Luki who was ruled out with a hamstring strain. The back-rower will be replaced by Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, with Tom Mikaele added to the bench. Taulagi's return sees Jaxon Purdue drop back to the interchange. Jake Granville was named 18th man.
Sharks: Highly-touted rookie Liam Ison is set for his NRL debut after being selected to replace the suspended Will Kennedy at fullback. Siosifa Talakai is set to provide an impact off the bench after being named to make his return from suspension on the interchange. A second Shark will make his debut on Saturday night after 29-year-old hooker was added to the bench in the 24-hour update. Royce Hunt was initially named to start at prop but did not travel with the team due to illness, with Tom Hazelton moving from the interchange to the starting side. Winger Samuel Stonestreet is 18th man.
Match: Cowboys v Sharks
Round 21 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Sharks is number 1 Liam Ison
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
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Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami VaileaCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 5 Valentine HolmesCentre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 21 Murray TaulagiWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
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Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad TownsendHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Braydon Trindall
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
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Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason TaumaloloProp for Sharks is number 15 Thomas Hazelton
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 16 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
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Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon PurdueInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison EdwardsInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin NeameInterchange for Sharks is number 21 Jayden Berrell
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 19 Samuel Stonestreet
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 18 Jake Granville
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have not defeated the Sharks in Townsville since 2018.
- The Sharks have won 11 of their past 12 games against the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys have won only two of their past six games at QCB Stadium.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored five tries in his past three games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored six tries in his past seven games.
Match: Cowboys v Sharks
Round 21 -
home Team
Cowboys
5th Position
away Team
Sharks
4th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
