FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th, 2024 ALLIANZ STADIUM SYDNEY
Sharks Enter as Favourites, but It’s Anyone’s Game
Cronulla comes into this match as the favorites, but choosing a winner feels like flipping a coin.
These teams have met twice this season, with each winning their respective home games.
While the Sharks technically have home-ground advantage, they’ll be playing at the larger Allianz Stadium instead of their usual Shark Park.
Sharks Need to Rebound from Storm Defeat
Craig Fitzgibbon’s squad will also need to rebound from last week’s disappointing loss to the Storm, where they struggled and faded considerably in the second half.
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Siosifa Talakai 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes, 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jack Williams 16. Royce Hunt 17. Thomas Hazelton , 18. Braden Hamlin-Uele 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha, 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Jesse Ramien
Cowboys Riding Momentum After Gritty Win
The Cowboys, meanwhile, carry some momentum after a gritty win over the Knights in a hard-fought elimination final in Townsville.
It’s also worth noting that North Queensland finished just two points behind Cronulla on the ladder, showcasing a strong second-half of the season. We believe they can narrowly take this one.
Tied Series Sets Up Winner-Takes-All Showdown
The Sharks and Cowboys are tied with one win each in their 2024 encounters, and whoever claims the 2-1 advantage this weekend in Sydney will advance to the preliminary final.
The Cowboys left it late to overcome a brave Knights side, but they appear to be hitting their stride, riding a wave of confidence with four consecutive victories.
Sharks Look to Break Finals Hoodoo
The Sharks were battered by minor premiers Melbourne and need to regroup quickly to avoid an eighth consecutive finals loss, a streak dating back to 2018.
Centre Jesse Ramien is in a race against time to recover from an ankle injury that kept him out of the Sharks’ trip to AAMI Park. Meanwhile, the Cowboys appear to have a clean bill of health as they gear up for their first final at Allianz Stadium since 2017, when they defeated the Roosters 29-16 to advance to the grand final.
Cowboys’ Red-Hot Trio vs. Sharks’ Staunch Defence
The red-hot form of Tom Dearden, Scott Drinkwater, and Val Holmes makes the Cowboys a formidable threat. The Sharks, on the other hand, must rediscover the fierce tackling that saw them ranked as the second-best defensive team behind Penrith during the regular season.
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo , 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter , 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards , 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame, 18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Chad Townsend 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Braidon Burns 22. Tomas Chester
Referee. Ashley Klein, Touch Judges, Dave Munro, Chris Sutton, Bunker. Wyatt Raymond
Key Stats and Player Matchups
The Sharks have claimed victory in 11 of their last 13 clashes with the Cowboys.
However, the Cowboys have won three of their last four finals encounters against the Sharks.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo boasts an impressive record, scoring 10 tries in 11 games against the Cowboys.
On the other side, Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has crossed the line 12 times in his last seven games.
The Sharks are also looking to break a seven-game losing streak in finals.
Prediction
The Cowboys have shown steady improvement as the season has progressed. While occasional defensive lapses remain a concern, their potent attack often compensates. The halves pairing of Tom Dearden and Jake Clifford has found its rhythm, and when combined with Scott Drinkwater and Reece Robson, they form one of the competition’s stronger spines. Their hardworking back row complements key players like Jason Taumalolo and Jordan McLean, while their backline strikes a perfect balance between youthful energy and experienced firepower.
The Sharks couldn’t score a point after the break against the Storm and they will be under enormous pressure to win this one. Can Craig Fitzgibbon guide them to their first postseason win since 2018? If the Sharks can rediscover their hard-running, fast-paced style of play while minimizing errors, they have the potential to unsettle the Cowboys and turn the tide in their favour. The Sharks really should win this one, but they have disappointed in this position several times before.
For me the Sharks have the size ,while the Cowboys have the speed. I am going with speed to win.
Go the Cows.
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