NRL Match Preview: Week 1 Finals v Cowboys

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Fri 11 Sep 2026, 01:50 PM

Cronulla have lost the recently re-signed Hohepa Puru to an illness 24 hours out from their elimination final.

No other changes ahead of the 5th-placed Sharks hosting the 8th-placed Cowboys at Allianz Stadium tomorrow night at 7:50pm.

Cronulla has hosted Week 1 Finals games at Ocean Protect Stadium in recent years, but a decision was made to move it to the bigger ground in Moore Park.

No complaints from Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon though, "We're super excited about playing at Allianz Stadium. It's one of the best stadiums in the country, and it's got that big game atmosphere about it, and that's where we want to be."

"We've worked all year to get to this point, and we want to play in big games so we're super excited about that."

They're super excited to welcome Braydon Trindall back from a shoulder injury as well.

The Sharks half broke the club record for most try-assists in a season with 30 earlier in the year.

His halves partner Nicho also has 23, which means they have the most try assists (53) by a halves combination in recent memory.

"In my opinion it's been his (Trindall's) strongest season for the Sharks and he's grown up a lot and understands his position within the team and how commanding he can be," the Sharks coach said.

"I think also his combination with Nicho is probably the strongest it's been this season, so looking forward to getting him back."

Coming up against a North Queensland side that Cronulla have met six times in finals since 2013.

Both sides have won three apiece out of those encounters with the Cowboys knocking out the Sharks on their way to the 2015 title.

Then the black, white and blue did the same on their route to winning the club's first premiership in 2016.

The Sharks have won three out of the four finals matches played between them at Allianz Stadium.

"It's semi-finals, so the most important thing is who gets it done tomorrow night," Fitzgibbon expressed.

"They've got some wonderfully talented players and have had some really strong performances this year, so we know what they can bring, but we know what we can bring too, and it's whoever brings it on the day."

Fitzgibbon is now the first Cronulla coach in the club's history to make five straight finals appearances.

His Sharks have won three of their past five Finals games, with preliminary final losses to Penrith in 2024 and Melbourne in 2025.

Cronulla has won 14 of the past 17 games against North Queensland, but the Cowboys won their last encounter in Round 8 in Townsville 46-34.

The Sharks have lost their past two games, and four of five going into this week, but have not lost three straight since 2024.

Cronulla receives the fewest penalties, concedes the equal third most in the NRL, and they also receive the equal most ruck infringements.

Nicho Hynes needs one point to become the outright third all-time Sharks points scorer, currently level with Luke Covell on 948 points.

Hynes is also chasing his 100th NRL win in what will be his 148th NRL game with a 67%-win record.

Sione Katoa requires one try to bring up his 100th NRL try, with only Andrew Ettingshausen (165), Ronaldo Mulitalo (112) and David Peachey (110) having done so for Cronulla.

Don't miss the Sharks NRL and NRLW double-header on Saturday!

Catch the Sharks women in action against the Dragons from 5:10pm at Allianz Stadium tomorrow.

Followed by the Sharks men in their all-important Week 1 Finals clash against the Cowboys at 7:50pm – get your tickets HERE.

See the 24-hour team lists below.

Finals Week 1 - Finals Week 1 - Saturday 12 Sep

9:50 am

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 Braidon Burns
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Riley Jones

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Zac Laybutt
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicho Hynes

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Griffin Neame
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Jesse Colquhoun

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 14 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy Burns

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 John Bateman
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Kaiden Lahrs
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Toby Rudolf

Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 Ethan King
Interchange for Sharks is number 20 Niwhai Puru

Interchange for Cowboys is number 21 Sam McIntyre