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

By Scott Pryde / Expert

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.

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.

Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde

The Crowd Says:

2016-09-24T11:30:47+00:00

The Barry

Roar Guru


Have a listen to yourself Doogs before you call anyone else a whinger. The Cowboys were comprehensively outplayed by the Sharks and we're lucky the Sharks switched off in the last 10 o make the final score respectable. Yet somehow you find a way to blame the refs. The refs had zero influence in that result. Error ridden Cowboys did. You're such a bad sport and a terrible loser.

2016-09-24T11:15:20+00:00

DJW

Guest


So inconsistent reffing

2016-09-24T01:58:33+00:00

Les Boyd's Elbow

Guest


Paul Gallen best forward 4 5 6 years 0 premierships.

2016-09-23T15:56:52+00:00

tiger mike

Guest


Year of the Shark Haha JT player of the universe 4 5 6 years only 1 premiership

2016-09-23T13:59:49+00:00

Mike K

Guest


Good response woodhouse. Doogs, "Cronulla were the better team tonight" And "Good luck to the sharks in the final" all that was required !

AUTHOR

2016-09-23T13:39:04+00:00

Scott Pryde

Expert


Yep that's also correct James, I just happen to remember 2010 pretty fondly.

2016-09-23T13:09:48+00:00

JVGO

Guest


Clueless.

2016-09-23T13:02:18+00:00

Woodhouse

Guest


And all I want is for the cowboys to lose a game, and not be 'robbed' for a change. The better team won, and the cowboys lost it in the first 20 minutes. As JT himself said, you can't play at a 60% completion rate and expect to win. Better luck next year.

2016-09-23T12:55:09+00:00

SVB

Guest


I didn't know a city could get upset.

2016-09-23T12:45:42+00:00

duecer

Guest


45,000. Hard to get people out on a week night in Sydney though.

2016-09-23T12:44:38+00:00

Griffo

Guest


It probably did but it was the mistakes in the first half that cost us. Had we not made those maybe we'd have had more energy in the second half to make the most of that tail wind. Basically I don't think it was an excuse for the result.

2016-09-23T12:37:24+00:00

Joe

Roar Rookie


Yes, agreed. If they had got through week one it would have been a very different story. Unlucky to meet the Storm in week 1 who have had their measure all season but they did fade after Origin which meant 4th place so I guess it does show its tough to go back to back.

AUTHOR

2016-09-23T12:26:44+00:00

Scott Pryde

Expert


MATCH RESULTS The Cronulla Sharks are through to the NRL Grand Final in almost two decades after they defeated the North Queensland Cowboys in a dominating display at Allianz Stadium by 12 points. Cronulla came flying out of the gates, and the Cowboys never got into the match being dominated in the forwards and not able to control the Sharks creative weapons. After playing a 90-minute epic last week, the Cowboys were fatigued from the get go and were at only 41 per cent possession through the first half, being held scoreless to the break and making a lot of errors, making themselves their own worst enemy. Lachlan Coote set the tone in the first set of the match dropping a simple kick and while their defence held the Sharks out for the first quarter of the game it was never going to be enough. Matt Prior and Andrew Fifita led things early with some brilliant work from Wade Graham and Paul Gallen that allowed Cronulla to dominate up the middle, leaving the Cowboys with no chance of answering. Graham's combination with Maloney on the left edge was fantastic all game long, and they looked incredibly dangerous. With the kicking game from the halves being pin-point accurate and Ennis playing somewhere near his best the Sharks would have dominated the Cowboys on a good day. The scoring opened in the 17th minute as James Maloney was forced to slot over a penalty goal. Given the Sharks had all the ball up until that point, it seemed like a moral victory for North Queensland. The Sharks would score their first try just five minutes later though on the back of an error and scrum, with Fifita offloading to set up a try for Siosaia Feki in the corner. Maloney would then slot another penalty goal to extend the lead to eight, before Chad Townsend struck right on the stroke of halftime with a long range effort, and a final pass that had a few questions over it from Maloney. It was clear heading into the second half that the Cowboys would need an excellent start and that's exactly what they got as they scored in the second minute through Lachlan Coote, who got a freakish bounce on a grubber from Johnathan Thurston. It wouldn't make up for his plethora mistakes in the first half though as it only temporarily eased the pain for the Cowboys who were back on the rack shortly afterwards. The Sharks would score ten minutes later through Luke Lewis after Michael Ennis went from dummy half, linking with Jason Bukuya who then threw a short ball for Lewis who crashed over. Three minutes later, Cronulla would be over again after they went the length of the field on the back of a penalty, with Maloney going himself and scoring through the defence. The lead would continue to extend with Maloney slotting over another penalty goal before he finished it off himself with a long range effort from an intercept. Kyle Feldt would score a pair of consolation tries for the Cowboys before Coen Hess also scored in the last two minutes as the Cowboys put on a late rampage, but in the end it was all too little, too late. The Sharks then, through to their first grand final since the super league war and will finally hope to clinch their first premiership against either the Canberra Raiders or Cronulla Sharks. Final score Cronulla Sharks 32 North Queensland Cowboys 22

2016-09-23T12:25:30+00:00

Doogs

Guest


You do realise that you won. What are you carrying on with?

2016-09-23T12:24:30+00:00

Doogs

Guest


I cannot say anything that would upset Sydney without being moderated. Thanks

2016-09-23T12:22:31+00:00

Doogs

Guest


you won and you still whinge. Are you related to Paul Gallen?

2016-09-23T12:21:38+00:00

Doogs

Guest


Cronulla were the better team tonight. I can't stand Ennis, Maloney, Fifita and Gallen. They do not play the game in the right spirit. Would I have them in my team? Absolutely. They are great players. They give everything. I don't think they need to carry on with their stuff. Just embarrassing. I wish they had won without controversy. The forward pass was mind boggling for Maloney to score. The knock-on from Scott late in the first half was just rubbish. Then when the Sharks lost the ball in the second half it was a penalty which was also garbage. What happened to holding onto the ball? I do not begrudge the Sharks their win because we all know they have been through a lot. I do however begrudge the way they play the game and I cannot stand the whinging that comes out of Sydney when a team outside that area loses. You are the worst losers and whingers and should take the good with the bad. Good luck to the Sharks in the final. I hope your presence brings a boost to your area. However, I will barrack for whoever opposes you. The Roar will be going for Canberra as it is heavily biased towards them. I seriously want Melbourne to win it for the opposite reasons

2016-09-23T12:17:59+00:00

jamesb

Guest


And in 2009, Eels and Bulldogs got 75,000.

2016-09-23T12:17:35+00:00

Joe

Roar Rookie


Cronulla too good tonight. Cowboys just looked tired and once they started making mistakes early beginning with Coote and had to defend repeat sets that was pretty much game over. Sharks put the screws on them early and pretty much cruised the last 20 of that match so they'll be pretty fresh for the Grand Final. They should be favorites now to win it.

2016-09-23T12:13:47+00:00

Muzz

Guest


Credit to the Sharks entire pack who were excellent.

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