North Queensland Cowboys
12
Match Complete
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
32
| 73 |  | N. Hynes | ||
| 72 |  | N. Hynes | ||
| 66 |  | N. Hynes | ||
| 50 | | N. Hynes | ||
| 48 | | W. Graham | ||
| 35 | | N. Hynes | ||
| 33 | | R. Hunt | ||
| 32 | | N. Hynes | ||
| 30 | | T. Hazelton | ||
| S. Drinkwater | | 23 | ||
| S. Valemei | | 22 | ||
| 19 | | N. Hynes | ||
| 17 | | R. Mulitalo | ||
| S. Drinkwater | | 14 | ||
| S. Drinkwater | | 12 |
| 2 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 5 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 25 of the NRL kicks off tonight with the North Queensland Cowboys taking on the Cronulla Sharks. Join The Roar for live scores from 7:50pm AEST.
Maroons forward Jeremiah Nanai will make a return after a month out with a shoulder injury after North Queensland had the bye last round. Coen Hess drops back to the bench.
James Tamou has been named in the reserves after a lengthy spell out with a foot problem.
The ninth-placed Cowboys host the Sharks, in fifth, and must win to keep their NRL finals hopes alive.
Nanai missed the losses to Gold Coast and Brisbane after suffering a shoulder injury in the round-21 win over Parramatta. His attacking threat on the edge gives the Cowboys strike and the 20-year-old has shown he likes the big occasion.
The Sharks clash is certainly a pivotal game in the Cowboys’ season. They are on 28 points and outside the top eight on for and against, but have challenging clashes with the Dolphins and Penrith to finish the year.
Payten was just happy to have Nanai back after he missed a chunk of the season previously due to two suspensions.
Thomas Hazelton (concussion) missed the win over the Titans and is right to return while fellow prop Oregon Kaufusi (finger) is still out.
Game prediction
If the Sharks want to be any chance of making the NRL top four, they have to put up a huge statement away from home. The Cowboys, likewise, can’t expect to be considered finals contenders if they don’t win this one. Cowboys by 2
Game information
Venue: QCB Stadium
Kickoff: 7:50pm AEST
TV: Nine Network, Fox League
Stream: 9Now, Kayo Sports
Odds: Cowboys $1.58, Sharks $2.40 – odds via PlayUp
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Murray Taulagi 4. Peta Hiku 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Coen Hess 16. Heilum Luki 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Zac Laybutt 20. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 21. Robert Derby 22. James Tamou
Sharks: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazleton 17. Matt Moylan 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. Kayal Iro 22. Jayden Berrell
The Barry
Roar Guru
Townsend is always in the firing line when a team he’s in is under performing. Then they go well and everyone says “he’s so under rated”. Happened his whole career You obviously watch the Cows a lot closer than I do but I don’t know if he’s been their problem this year. I think he generally does a good job of steering tue side around the paddock You have so many off the cuff eyes up players that tue attack either looks like it’s firing or out of sorts. Dearden and Drinky make things out of nothing but tend towards frustration pretty quickly when there’s not much doing
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah, we definitely have a team in there. I think I am just very disappointed with last night. Three of the softest trys we have conceded all year . Two awful attempts at tackle by Drinkwater and wet lettuces attack by everyone. All with our season on the line. Our end of sets in the red zone was really poor. Don't we know how to roll one in to the in goal any more.? I picked us as finishing 6 this year. Many had us top 4. All in all a frustrating year.
R N
Roar Rookie
Tough night Jimmy....! At least Drinkwater and Leilua create something and have their moments, but totally agree with Hiku and Chad. Neither have had a positive highlight all year! There is a team there though. A few little tweaks and next year might be pretty good. Looking forward to hearing your official report in a few weeks :stoked:
R N
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Wanna swap?? :silly:
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Drinkwater needs to drink cement . Hiku needs a plane ticket. Leilua needs to remember how much he owes the Cows. Townsend needs to call it a day. All the local lads exonerated. Preliminary report only.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Commiserations Jimmmy, semi final like game - not over for the cows but sudden death semis basically from next week.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Not going to knock your Dragons, by giving that a like. :thumbup:
Renegade
Roar Guru
I said it on the night, that the panthers loss was better than most of the sharks wins this year at the time… they just keep getting better every week since. That was an outstanding performance, finals intensity, clinical attack and gritty defense – got in the arm wrestle, absorbed all pressure and finished them when they could. That was Penrith like, which is as good a complement a team can get in this comp. This team is on the up and can smell September, bring on the finals!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Huge win for the Sharks. Players playing at their best right across the park. You can’t ask for more than that at this time of year. Not against a top eight team though :silly: The Cowboys started both halves well but couldn’t go with the Sharks. Spent a lot of the game looking a bit flat and a bit clunky in attack. Can’t see them beating the Panthers or troubling the top teams if they scrape in
Stormy
Roar Rookie
That's a decent, fair comment, Jimmmy.
R N
Roar Rookie
An unexpected early season death from the cows... will be an interesting coroner's report!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Tracey and Trindall have breathed new life into the Sharks
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Hynes is so good when he's on.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well played Sharkies. Way way better. Truthfully if thats all we got finals is a waste of time
Panthers
Roar Rookie
For a player that’s not played fullback in first grade before, Tracey’s done a great job. Over the last few weeks.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Bugger
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Talking about not giving yourself a chance, Cows.
R N
Roar Rookie
It been so frustrating all year DP. That said been a tough year for a couple of teams supporters.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Does anybody know if the Shark's Katoa & the Storm's Katoa are related? I know they aren't brothers; may just be a common last name.