Cronulla are out to continue their dominance over the Cowboys by notching up four straight wins for the first time this season in a Sunday shootout at a sodden Sharks Stadium.
After grinding out a 14-12 victory over the Rabbitohs last week, Cronulla must navigate wet conditions as they aim to move a step closer to a finals berth. A coveted top-four finish also remains a possibility provided they keep winning.
The seventh-placed Sharks controlled proceedings when the teams met in Townsville in Round 2, posting seven tries in a 36-12 result. It marked Cronulla's 13th triumph from their past 15 meetings with the Cowboys.
Much has happened since that March clash, with the Sharks in charge of their destiny after emerging from a tough period with a hat-trick of solid wins.
Cronulla's impressive turnaround in form has coincided with Craig Fitzgibbon's side rediscovering their usual defensive starch, having conceded a miserly 18 points or less in three consecutive matches for the first time this year.
An enigmatic North Queensland side, meanwhile, sit four ladder positions and seven competition points behind their resurgent opponents.
However, with Queensland State of Origin playmaker Tom Dearden pulling the strings and livewire Scott Drinkwater at the back, the Cowboys pose a serious threat with an attack that has produced 64 points over the past fortnight.
The Sharks know they can't take the visitors lightly, especially given Todd Payten's men outlasted the Dragons 38-22 in a confidence-building effort last round.
"As you're getting close to the finals, you've got to find any way to win and keep turning up for each," Cronulla halfback Nicho Hynes said.
"We set out a goal at the beginning of the season about top four and I feel like we are a top-four team when we're at our best. That's always in our sights.
"(But) we're not looking any further than the Cowboys this weekend; they're playing for their season. They're going to be hungry and they're going to come down here with a bit of a revenge energy after we beat them earlier in the year."
The Sharks will welcome back centre Siosifa Talakai (illness) and second-rower Briton Nikora (head knock) after the destructive duo sat out last week. However, front-rower Toby Rudolf is out due to concussion protocols.
Fellow prop Tom Hazelton has been included on the extended bench as he pushes to return from a sternoclavicular joint injury.
For North Queensland, Jake Clifford is out due to an ongoing quad issue. Jaxon Purdue will replace him at five-eighth. Dearden will play his 100th NRL game, while young forward Emarly Bitungane is set to make his debut off the bench.
It's a special occasion for both sides, with the Paul Green Medal – named in honour of the late, great halfback and coach who represented the Sharks and Cowboys with distinction – to be awarded to the Man of the Match.
The Sharks will also be eager to honour the club's proud history on Old Boys Day as a plethora of former players reunite at Sharks Stadium to cheer on the team.
Kick-off tomorrow is at 4.05pm. CLICK HERE to secure tickets.
The match will be broadcast live on 9, 9Now, Foxtel and Kayo.
See the updated team lists below.
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Round 22 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert Derby
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Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Zac Laybutt
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Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa TalakaiCentre for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Braidon Burns
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
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Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
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Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Cowboys is number 8 Harrison Edwards
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Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
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Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon KaufusiProp for Cowboys is number 10 Griffin Neame
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
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Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
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Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel AtkinsonInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Marly Bitungane
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Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jesse ColquhounInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Kaiden Lahrs
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Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-UeleInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kai O'Donnell
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Interchange for Sharks is number 21 Thomas HazeltonInterchange for Cowboys is number 21 Jamal Shibasaki
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 16 Billy BurnsReplacement for Cowboys is number 18 Jaxson Paulo
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
- The Sharks have won 13 of their past 15 games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored five tries in his past five games.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 12 tries in 13 games against the Cowboys.
- 'Halfback Tom Dearden will make his 100th appearance for the Cowboys.
- The Sharks have won five from seven at Sharks Stadium this season.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
