NRL, ROUND 9, APRIL 27tH, 2023,
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS vs CRONULLA SHARKS
POINTSBET STADIUM, SYDNEY
The Sharks play host to the Cowboys at PointsBet Stadium in what is expected be an emotional occasion as both sides play in the inaugural Paul Green medal match on Thursday night.
Green played 95 games for Cronulla and coached the Cowboys to their only premiership in 2015.
Green, who played for both clubs before coaching the Cowboys to their maiden premiership in 2015, tragically passed away last year, with the two clubs uniting to name the player of the match medal from the game in Green’s honour.
The winning coach will decide the recipient, with Green’s wife Amanda and their children to make the trip to PointsBet Stadium to present the award.
On the field, both sides are coming off crucial wins in Round 8 and will resume their rivalry having met on 50 occasions prior, with the Sharks leading the Cowboys in the head-to-head battle 32-18.
Their most recent encounter was a thrilling finals game last season which saw the Cowboys come out on top thanks to a Valentine Holmes field goal in Golden Point.
While it might have been Todd Payten’s men who prevailed in last year’s knockout rounds, Craig Fitzgibbon’s side will head into Thursday’s game as strong favourites with a 4-3 record in comparison to the Cowboys’ 3-5 start to the year.
Craig Fitzgibbon is likely to stick with the same team that got the job done against the Bulldogs last week. Dale Finucane won’t return until Magic Round with one week left to serve on his suspension.
For the Cowboys, Murray Taulagi was cited for a late tackle on Dane Gagai but has escaped with a fine and will be available for selection. Heilum Luki (hamstring) is likely to be another week away. Gehamat Shibasaki returned from his own hamstring injury via reserve grade last weekend but is unlikely to come into the side.
The Sharks have won eight of their past nine games against the Cowboys.
Kyle Feldt has scored 13 tries in his past 15 games against the Sharks.
Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 17 tries in 17 games at PointsBet Stadium.
Coen Hess will make his 150th NRL appearance since his debut in 2015.
Sharks fullback William Kennedy has scored nine tries in his past six games but has just three tries in his last eight games at PointsBet Stadium.
Sharks team:
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Wade Graham 15. Jack Williams 16. Royce Hunt 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Connor Tracey 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. Mawene Hiroti 22. Jayden Berrell
The Sharks left a few tries out on the field most notably from a Ronaldo Mulitalo clanger, but they still beat the Bulldogs convincingly 33-20.
Nicho Hynes continued his brilliant run of form, while William Kennedy repaid the club’s faith in re-signing him with a classy hat-trick.
The Sharks are still finding themselves drifting in and out of games, but if they can put it all together against the Cowboys at home in Round 9 that will mark three straight wins as they hunt a top four spot.
Cowboys team:
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Tomas Chester 15. Jake Granville 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Mitchell Dunn 18. Riley Price 19. Ben Hampton 20. Brendan Elliot 21. Taniela Sadrugu 22. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Valentine Holmes took it upon himself to put the team on his back in a superb display, while Scott Drinkwater had his best game since returning from suspension.
However, the Cowboys still need more form their halves Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend if they want to make it back-to-back wins when they face an in form Sharks side on Thursday night.
PREDICTION.
This will be an emotional game for both teams after the tragic passing of Paul Green, but at home in front of the Cronulla fans I think the Sharks will have more to play for. Coach, Fitzgibbon will this week drum into his players the history of the Sharks and how important Green was to this club. Sharks by 5 points.
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