The rivalry that exists between the Cronulla Sharks and North Queensland Cowboys certainly is something special.
And in Finals, it goes to a whole new level.
For starters, the last two winners out of a Sharks Cowboys Final has gone on to win the Premiership that same year.
A good omen?
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The past three finals matches have been something to savour, with both sides victorious on separate occasions in dominant displays.
Despite it being well-documented that the Cowboys are “low on troops”, the bulk of this squad did win a premiership just two seasons ago and have the core of that team to produce match-winning Rugby League.
The 2017 season though is a new season for both sides, producing it’s own challenges and now it’s time to make it happen.
Elimination Final 2013: Cronulla 20 def. Cowboys 18
Who could forget this game.
On a sunny Sydney afternoon, the Sydney Football Stadium was looking a treat as both sides traded blows.
The lead seesawed throughout the match, with both sides trading the lead in what was an end-to-end contest.
Down 18-16 with 7 minutes remaining on the clock, Sosaia Feki put his side ahead 20-18. From here, the intensity went to a whole new level.
A play was produced that will stick with Sharks Members and fans for years. The Cowboys moved the ball to their left edge and looked certain to score through Kane Linnett who received the ball metres from the line.
Sharks hooker John Morris had other ideas though, coming across to make a try-saving tackle to put his side into the next week of the 2013 finals series.
Semi Final 2015: Cowboys 39 def. Cronulla 0
It was not the night Sharks for hoping for that’s for sure.
Travelling to Townsville after defeating the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Week 1 of the Finals, the Sharks were full of confidence.
It just so happened that there was a team from Townsville who were feeling it too!
Played in front of a parochial crowd at 1300 Smiles Stadium, the Cowboys were dominant from the kick off as Matt Scott barged through a would be Sharks tackle to get his side off down field.
The Sharks were never in the contest as the Cowboys streaked away to a convincing win in front of the Cowboys faithful before going on to win the 2015 NRL Telstra Premiership.
One positive to be taken away from the game for the Sharks though was to see how a good team stands up in a Finals Series.
Preliminary Final 2016: Cronulla 32 def. Cowboys 20
The 80 minutes played before the Sharks’ big dance.
Although the scoreboard will read a close content took place here, the Sharks were dominant in their defeat of the Cowboys in the 2016 Final.
Buoyed by what was a predominantly Black, White and Blue crowd, the Sharks were up from the get-go.
James Maloney played a dominant role in his side’s victory, helping teammates Sosaia Feki, Chad Townsend and Luke Lewis to crossing for tries of their own.
Although not scoring, Valentine Holmes still produced on of the most memorable moments of the evening though sending Jonathan Thurston flying in one of his trademark kick returns to the line.
This match really laid the platform for what was to come the next weekend and we all remember how that played out!
With the next chapter of the Cronulla and Cowboys rivalry set to be written this weekend, who will come away victorious and have their name go down in the history books.
Stay tuned folks, this is set to be big!
