NRL Match Preview: Sharks v Cowboys

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Thu 19 Sep 2024, 07:49 PM

A golden opportunity is waiting to be seized by the Sharks when they host the Cowboys in a sudden-death semi-final at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

With a sea of black, white and blue poised to turn the Moore Park venue into Sydney's Shark Tank, Cronulla will aim to utilise the home-city advantage and surge towards a place in next week's preliminary final against the Panthers.

The Sharks are determined to bounce back from a qualifying final defeat to the Storm, with their fourth-place finish in the regular season providing a safety net. North Queensland, meanwhile, are high on confidence after a 28-16 comeback victory over the Knights that kept their campaign alive.

In pursuit of the club's first playoffs victory since 2018, Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon declared his team are embracing the pressure and anticipation.

"We're so grateful to be here," he said.

"I feel like it's been such an enjoyable year, challenging and exciting. We've earned the right for this next crack, thankfully – we needed it after last week. We hope everyone is still on board with us.

"We're not shying away from that (finals) challenge. You ultimately work the whole season to get this opportunity. That's what we're so excited about.

"You work so hard to be involved in the biggest games. This is where we want to be. To get one done would be amazing. It'd be confidence-building and it'd be just rewards for a hard season and a good season.

"But it'll be a challenge. The Cowboys are playing really well. Their squad is chocked with Origin-class players and final winners."

If Cronulla need a boost, Fitzgibbon expects the Sharks-centric crowd at Allianz Stadium to ride them home.

"We're really excited to get back there and it'd be nice to see plenty of black, white and blue out there and get behind us," he said.

Tomorrow's blockbuster fixture will mark the sixth playoffs meeting between the Sharks and North Queensland. The Cowboys boast a 3-2 record.

Only a field goal has separated the teams in their two most recent post-season clashes in 2017 and 2022, with North Queensland prevailing on both occasions.

However, the Shire men famously downed the Cowboys in the 2016 preliminary final at the old Sydney Football Stadium – on the same site as the revamped Allianz Stadium – on their way to claiming the club's maiden premiership.

Cronulla have won 11 of their past 13 games against North Queensland, including a 42-6 demolition in Round 7 this year at PointsBet Stadium. Though the Cowboys won the return bout in Townsville in Round 21, the Sharks were missing several key players.

Fitzgibbon has retained the same 17 players that faced Melbourne, however strike centre Jesse Ramien remains on the extended bench as he nears a return from an ankle injury.

While not confirming he would play, Fitzgibbon rated Ramien a decent chance of reclaiming his place after a strong training effort on Wednesday.

North Queensland coach Todd Payten has also named an unchanged line-up, with Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder) and Murray Taulagi (hamstring) good to go.

Speaking earlier this week, Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes matched Fitzgibbon's enthusiasm for harnessing the enormity of the occasion.

"I've been wanting a moment like this forever," Hynes said.

"I want to win finals games, I want to play in grand finals, I want to compete for grand finals.

"This whole club is hungry for it, so we're ready to go."

Don't miss a historic battle – CLICK HERE to secure a ticket!

If you can't attend, the Sharks Footy Fest live site at the Sharks at Kareela club is the next-best place to soak up the tribal atmosphere alongside fellow fans.

The match will be broadcast live on Nine, Nine Now, Foxtel and Kayo.

See the updated squads below.

Finals Week 2 - Finals Week 2 - Friday 20 Sep

Full Time

Sharks

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
Centre for Sharks is number 22 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 3 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyre
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison Edwards
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame