Sharks
16
Match Complete
Cowboys
14
| S. Johnson |  | 69 | ||
| B. Xerri |  | 68 | ||
| S. Johnson | | 65 | ||
| J. Dugan | | 64 | ||
| 45 | | J. Clifford | ||
| 44 | | F. Molo | ||
| 39 | | M. Scott | ||
| R. Mulitalo | | 36 | ||
| 3 | | S. Drinkwater |
| 3 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Cronulla Sharks will be desperate to reverse a five-game losing streak when they open Round 19 at home against the North Queensland Cowboys. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
This is high stakes footy as the back end of the year arrives, and for the Sharks, a turn around in momentum and results has never been more critical.
They have scored more tries than their opposition in four of the last five games, but still found a way to lose the lot of them, whether through poor goal kicking or horrendous match management.
The only other game during that period (and really, given the teams they were playing, the only game they were expected to lose pre-match) came in Melbourne during Cameron Smith’s 400th where they were belted.
The run of losses has seen the black, white and blue tumble out of the top eight and, while it’s not season over, a couple more losses will put them on the brink.
One way or another, they need to find a way to work with Shaun Johnson and build the game plan around him. On paper, a halves combination of Johnson and Chad Townsend should be perfect but, in reality, it’s been a nightmare.
While their attack is important against the Cowboys though, it’s middle third defence which will be most critical and made even more so by the loss of Andrew Fifita.
If Jason Taumalolo and the rest of the North Queensland pack get a head of steam up and start to dominate territory and possession, then through Jake Clifford, they have the ability to run the points up.
Still, the spine is largely inexperienced, and getting into a grind won’t suit the men from Townsville either, seeing as that’s what the Sharks do best.
It’s a side who have been up and down, with a home loss to the Rabbitohs hurting them big time.
In saying that, they have been playing enough good footy to have positive thoughts coming into this contest.
Prediction
The Sharks should be able to turn around their run of losses and take the points at home in a tight one.
Sharks by 4.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Round 19 opener from 7:50pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Cronulla
TV: Live, Fox League 501, Channel 9
Online: Live, Kayo Sports, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, 9Now, NRL Digital Pass
Betting: Sharks $1.50, Cowboys $2.54
Overall record: Played 47, Sharks 29, Cowboys 18
Last meeting: Round 3, 2019 – Cowboys 16 defeated by Sharks 42 at 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville
Last five: Sharks 3, Cowboys 2
Record at venue: Played 19, Sharks 14, Cowboys 5
Referees: Matt Cecchin, Jon Stone
Cronulla Sharks
1. Josh Dugan 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Josh Morris 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange: 14. Blayke Brailey 15. Jack Williams 16. Matt Prior 17. Billy Magoulias 18. Jayson Bukuya 19. Kyle Flanagan 20. Scott Sorensen 21. Sione Katoa
North Queensland Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Javid Bowen 4. Tom Opacic 5. Murray Taulagi 6. John Asiata 7. Jake Clifford 8. Josh McGuire 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Shane Wright 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Coen Hess 15. Matt Scott 16. Scott Bolton 17. Francis Molo 18. Peter Hola 19. Reuben Cotter 20. Corey Jensen 21. Gideon Gela-Mosby
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
No longer Shaun the Sheep, at last Shaun the Shark
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Feki the quiet achiever of the team-honest should be his middle.I thought he must have leporsy
Rob
Guest
Prior was lying beside the ruck as were the 2 Cowboys when the injury happened. They were only out of the 2 after the next tackle. They obviously don’t want to make the same mistake again. It like the crack down on late hits. They have finally made the right decision about pulling players up and using the sin bin.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Agree - 2nd half was finally resembling their best. Moylan's injury may be a blessing in disguise - he's been pretty ordinary this year. Have a man crush on Uele. Like Fifita about 5 years ago. Best thing for me was seeing fast aggressive line speed and dragging Cowboys players back towards their line. That aggression in defence has been lacking and is a key part of their game. Xerri needs more ball but when Graham comes back that should happen. One week at a time, in fact one set at a time.
JVGO
Guest
Hallelujah. The curse is broken. Praise the Lord!!!! Thank God for Boris Johnson getting himself elected. Who does Boris support??
Insider
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I don’t mind Baz, Scomos ok,
The Barry
Roar Guru
SJ was far and away MOM. Laid on two of three tries, steered the team around, long kicking game was pinpoint and gained several repeat sets. Gallen was very good and Uele.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Its one thing the PM making the odd appearance in the sheds but constantly hogging the limelight and thumping the esky is way over the top
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Maybe Feki was too honest in the Shark's honestly session judging by the way the rest of his team avoided him tonight.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Cheers mate! For the past 5-6 seasons, the sharks have had their finals spot sealed a good 4 to 6 weeks out.... I’ve forgotten about this whole fighting for your season thing and I’m not entirely sure I’m going to enjoy this next 6 rounds as a result lol
Renegade
Roar Guru
I think hardest part will be making the 8 i itself insider.... Wade, Moylan and Fifita still to come in - if this side can rediscover their mojo... you’d give them a chance from anywhere in the 8. I don’t think they’ll get there though..
Renegade
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call mate!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Much more Cronulla like performance in that second half... they need more of that
farkurnell
Guest
Not often I'm disappointed in a Sharks win but tonight- that 1st half was woeful.The Sharks are the teaser team of the comp., if they put 60-80min consistent performance, they will threaten the top sides.On the plus side ,I thought SJ was close to MOM.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Baz, I’ve pretty much said the same in my comment.... I think that backline reshuffle has damaged their season, instead of sitting third, their season hangs by a thread and the disruption of that reshuffle is a big reason.... it forced new combos when there was no need to - they worked perfectly for the first half of the season... forced changed for no reason
Rob
Guest
Feldt going off had a big effect considering the coach wanted 4 forwards on the bench and Hess playing centre? Been saying for a couple of years GGM coming of the bench might be worth trying. Didn’t mind he started Hess in the centres but the bench might have been better balanced with Molo, Scott, Cotter, GGM. Considering the side Green started with.
Joe
Roar Rookie
They definitely had a dig, two forwards playing in the centers and a second half of tackling, that was a great effort to be in it to the end.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Very brave effort from the cowboys Jimmmy... they did amazing to go the full 80 when you look at the match stats - hopefully you get up in that one!
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Gallen was huge tonight, and Johnson is starting to weave some magic. We just need a few more to come along. Townsend was on fire in the first half of the year and seems to have gone a bit quiet. The forwards are going as good as ever, but I agree the backs are an issue. Plus I have given him a lot of stick this season but Dugan was operating at 100% tonight. Big hits, big runs and huge effort.
Joe
Roar Rookie
That special place that seems to produce quality players for the rest of the NRL teams. Thanks for Brandon Smith and Jahrome Hughes by the way but at least you got a Drinkwater in return.