The Cronulla Sharks have won a close-faught battle with the North Queensland Cowboys on Monday night, victorious by three points at home.
REPORT: SHARKS GO TEN IN A ROW
Final score
Cronulla Sharks 13
North Queensland Cowboys 10
State of Origin Game 2 teams
» QLD: Myles out, Lillyman in
» Roar’s Reaction: Maroons
» NSW: Graham in, but faces ban
» Roar’s Reaction: Blues
In the game of the round, the Cronulla Sharks host the North Queensland Cowboys on Monday night footy. Follow all the action live on The Roar from 7pm AEST.
The game should be played in front of a close to sold out Southern Cross Group Stadium. Both teams are looking like finishing in the top four this season, so jostling over the top two spots for a home ground advantage is on both sides’ minds.
The Sharks are unchanged following a superb 80-minute display last weekend. The cohesion the Sharks are having in recent times is helping them on a run to a top four finish. They have performers all over the park, with the likes of Ben Barba, James Maloney and Chad Townsend in fine form.
A big test comes this weekend however, and if the Sharks want to flex their premiership muscle tonight is the night. Look for a big performance for Origin hopeful Wade Graham down the left edge.
The Cowboys welcome back Michael Morgan after he was rested last week with a concussion concern. The Cowboys are settled and will be out to show they can win away from home.
If the ladder remains as it is now at the end of the season, the Cowboys will have to travel to win another comp, so an away win here will do their confidence a world of good.
Look for big games from superstars Johnathon Thurston and Lachlan Coote, the latter looking to continue his push for an Origin jumper. All the talk is about Matt Moylan and James Tedesco but Coote is ‘as safe as a bank’ and is still a shot.
Get out to this one if you can, my early tip for the 2016 grand final on display. In a flip of the coin I’m taking the Cowboys in a tight affair.
Prediction: Cowboys by 6
Follow all the action live on The Roar from 7pm AEST.
Darren Stonehouse
Guest
The refs pulled off the first 14 points for the Sharks hope they get paid well.Bull nock on by scott clearly went back .ford pass try by sharks .Don't you no all of North Qld have T.V Big business coruption!!!!!!!!
ChubbzyK96
Guest
Or when Beale knocks it dead an the Sharks get a 20 metre 7 tackle set ruled on by the bunker.
Muzz
Guest
At the start of the season i was thinking Sharks v Broncos however the Storm are playing some great footy. I watched them live against my mob the other night. You get to see things differently than from the comfort of your lounge or local pub. Their attacking shapes are new and very complex. They are also polished! Their D alignments are near perfect. Line speed is relentless.They control the ruck and dictate the games tempo..Cronk is also in great form. You can beat them though. You have James BBQ Maloney who the Roosters miss so much.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I'd be happy with Sharks vs anyone Muzz! What's your tip?
Renegade
Roar Guru
Like when Barba knocked the ball back about 5 metres and cowboys got the feed only 10 from the Sharks line...? It was the same on both sides.
Muzz
Guest
Sharks V Storm GF? I am so over everything QLD.
johnnyball
Guest
how are the Sharks allowed to step wide of the marker, play the ball and then marker gets penalized as occurred tonight. were they new refs being blooded or experienced refs conned. don't follow either side but it was there to see
Wow
Guest
Time will tell won't it
Renegade
Roar Guru
Rubbish
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Finally got round to seeing the high shot by Graham on Thurston. I don't think it was intentional but I do think it ended up as being reckless. The strange thing is that I really have no idea if he will be suspended or not. And that, I think, is disturbing.
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Click here for the full match report from this game 3-2-1 3: James Maloney - he was great in attack and surprisingly in defence. Iced the game with a field goal and steered the side around tremendously all night long 2: Paul Gallen - 20 hit ups for a reported 200 metres, 41 tackles and lead the pack around the field all night long. Huge game 1: Jason Taumalolo - 199 run metres, looked dangerous every time he got the ball and almost won the game for his side
Wow
Guest
Yeah he rolled off the mark after the tackle. The Sharks got away with a lot tonight and still only managed 1 run away try. Not good enough to win the premiership unless other contender get injuries.
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
POST GAME The Cronulla Sharks have done it, winning 10 in a row and they stay undefeated at home! In a game that will go down as one of the games of the year, both sides were tremendous. The Sharks had a lot more of the quality ball and field position, while the Cowboys really had to hold on to stay in the game. The Cowboys were in front and looking good early in the first half, all until Valentine Holmes took a 95 metre intercept to change the tide. On the back of that, the Sharks really got going, their line speed and defensive pressure a really important aspect tonight. The second half was much of the same, with both sides throwing what they had at each other. Cronulla had a lot more ball and possession for the last 20, and the load in defence showed, the Cowboys running out of steam in the end. James Maloney iced the game with a field goal and penalty goal to put the Sharks ahead, with too much petrol left in the tank they ran out 3 point winners 13-10. These two teams will feature deep into the 2016 finals. Both should go away with their heads held high, congratulations to both outfits. The sides were locked up for most of the match
John Cooper
Roar Rookie
Disgusting ugly badly refed game
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
FULLTIME What a game, the Sharks hold on and have won 10 in a row. The crowd go crazy. Year of the Shark! Sharks - 13 Cowboys - 10
SpongeBob
Guest
Too many knocks to the head. Stupid play. Luckily the referee again penalises the 2nd person in rather than the initial offence.
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
80' Cowboys throw everything that have but its not good enough. The long ball to the left gets cleaned up by Jack Bird and the Sharks have won 10 in a row Sharks - 13 Cowboys - 10
John Cooper
Roar Rookie
Worst refereeing ever. Shark grubs have been allowed to lay on Cows all night What is the lopsided penalty count now. Is there somebody being paid off here?
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
78' great kick from Ennis, grubbers and finds touch 10 out. The Cowboys will have 90 seconds but need to go 90 metres Sharks - 13 Cowboys - 10
Alex L
Roar Rookie
As a thought, that penalty the Sharks just got from Fifita is exactly not the kind of call that would go his way in origin -- especially at Suncorp.