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Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys highlights: NRL Finals live scores, blog

23rd September, 2016
Kick-off: 7:55pm (AEST)
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
TV: Live, Fox Sports 501 and Nine Network
Betting: Cowboys $1.83, Sharks $2
Overall Record: Played 40, Sharks 24, Cowboys 16
Last five: Sharks 3, Cowboys 2
Last meeting: Round 14, Sharks 13 defeat Cowboys 10 at Southern Cross Group Stadium
Record in finals: Played 2, Sharks 1, Cowboys 1
Referees: Ben Cummins, Gerard Sutton

Cronulla Sharks
1. Ben Barba 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Jack Bird 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Valentine Holmes 6. James Maloney 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Michael Ennis 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange: 14. Gerard Beale 15. Chris Heighington 16. Kurt Capewell 17. Jayson Bukuya 18. Sam Tagataese

North Queensland Cowboys
1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O'Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Javid Bowen 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathan Thurston 8. Matthew Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. James Tamou 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Rory Kostjasyn 15. John Asiata 16. Scott Bolton 17. Ben Hannant
Ben Barba, in happier times. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)
Expert
23rd September, 2016
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Will the Cronulla Sharks make the most of their week off, or can the North Queensland Cowboys recover from their brutal match and go one step closer to back-to-back premierships? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the NRL preliminary finals from 7:55pm (AEST).

The Sharks came into the finals in all sorts, having only won a single match out of their final six regular season matches, but after their middle of the season winning streak it still meant they finished in third position.

That lined them up with a trip to Canberra and a match against the Raiders in the first week of the finals, with a week off in store for the winners.

The Sharks got off to a shocking start, going down 12-0, but played excellent football throughout the second half, getting into their usual style and grinding out an all important win.

With James Maloney’s kicking game on fire, their forward pack rolling down the middle of the field and outside packs co-operating well it left the Sharks finally looking like they had re-found some form.

The week off they won only became more important after the Cowboys narrow, extra-time win over the Brisbane Broncos last weekend.

The defending premiers managed to scrape into the top four, but that lined them up with a tough trip to Melbourne where they were knocked over by the weight of possession being completely against them.

They looked in some sort of trouble at home against Brisbane as well, falling behind before a second half resurgence, sparked by Johnathan Thurston and Jason Taumalolo brought them back into the contest.

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In a physical, fast-paced game scores were tied after 80 minutes and the new extra time format was brought into action, with Michael Morgan scoring the winning try.

Recovery from that match will be critical for the Cowboys, and it is doubtful that they have anything left in the tank seven days later.

In team news, the Sharks get a massive boost with Paul Gallen returning at lock, while Sam Tagatese also returns onto the bench in jersey 18 with Jesse Sene-Lefao dropping off. North Queensland have made just one change, with impressive debutant Kalyn Ponga making way for Kane Linnett.

The last time the sides met was in Round 14 when the Sharks edged out a narrow win, while their last finals meeting was last year as the Cowboys recorded a thumping 39-0 victory in the semi-finals.

Of course, the match before that in 2013 saw the infamous seven tackle try and Sharks progressing to the preliminary finals where they were knocked out by the Manly Sea Eagles.

Prediction
It’s hard to see the Cowboys being able to produce another big performance, and it seems like they played their grand final last week. As long as the Sharks play like they have all season, they will advance onto the grand final.

Sharks by 6.

Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this massive NRL preliminary final from 7:55pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.

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Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde

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