Cowboys
16
Match Complete
Sharks
26
| 60 |  | B. Nikora | ||
| V. Holmes |  | 57 | ||
| K. Feldt | | 55 | ||
| 53 | | S. Johnson | ||
| 51 | | J. Ramien | ||
| 46 | | R. Mulitalo | ||
| J. O'Neill | | 42 | ||
| 29 | | S. Johnson | ||
| 28 | | R. Mulitalo | ||
| V. Holmes | | 26 | ||
| K. Feldt | | 25 | ||
| 22 | | S. Johnson | ||
| 20 | | J. Ramien |
| 3 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The North Queensland Cowboys have a considerable home-ground advantage on their side in tonight’s meeting with thew Cronulla Sharks. Stay up to date with the match with live scores here on The Roar from 7:35pm (AEST).
Cronulla are yet to win a game this year, having let a lead slip against the Tigers last week. While there’s points in the side, there are serious issues around their edge defence which will need to be tightened up, else we can expect to see Valentine Holmes gliding through gaps out wide.
Making the Sharks’ task more difficult tonight is Chad Townsend’s absence. The halfback has been a remarkably durable – and impactful – contributor for the team, but his streak of 107 games in a row has come to an end due to a hamstring issue. With Townsend out, Matt Moylan will start in the halves alongside Shaun Johnson.
It’s not just Cronulla with a high-profile injury. The Cowboys are without the most devastating forward in the competition, Jason Taumalolo ruled out with bone bruising. With Michael Morgan also still out, it means North Queensland are missing their best two players.
It’s not just for that reason that all eyes will be on Holmes. The star back didn’t exactly win himself any friends with the way he handled his departure from Cronulla for a shot at the NFL, so expect to see him given a bit of a reception by his former teammates when he’s running the ball back tonight.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:35pm (AEST)
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
TV: Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, NRL Live Pass
Teams
Cowboys
1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Esan Marsters, 5. Ben Hampton, 6. Scott Drinkwater, 7. Jake Clifford, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Jordan McLean (c), 11. Mitchell Dunn, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Josh McGuire
Bench/Reserves: 14. Reece Robson, 15. John Asiata, 16. Tom Gilbert, 17. Gavin Cooper, 18. Corey Jensen, 19. Shane Wright, 20. Tom Opacic, 21. Reuben Cotter
Sharks
1. William Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Toby Rudolf, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Wade Graham (c), 13. Jack Williams
Bench/Reserves: 14. Connor Tracey, 15. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 16. Siosifa Talakai, 17. Scott Sorensen, 18. Billy Magoulias, 19. Braydon Trindall, 20. Royce Hunt, 21. Teig Wilton
Nat
Roar Guru
If he has any grace, he still can defend the middle but those passes...
Renegade
Roar Guru
Good to get the W after managing to fluff 3 games... main point from this one is Johnson needing to stretch the hammies and run the ball.... done some good and bad things tonight but his running game is his strength and seen none of it. Need Fifita back for more damage up the middle, Sharks offloading and second phase play was non-existent tonight. Anyways Cronulla always start the season slow, but with a shortened one in 2020 - they’ll need to find form a bit earlier than usual.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks Stormy, The troops are rallying here at the Roar to try and bring the games to the fans, despite the challenges of the times.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The Sharks have done the business in North Queensland, defeating the Cowboys 26-16 in what was an error riddled affair. The match was far from a classic with errors made consistently on either side of the ball, yet the intensity was high and both sides had multiple chances to score far more tries than they managed. The Sharks were a little better for the majority of the contest, forcing errors and capitalising on the scoreboard far better than the Cowboys. The home side was clunky and inept in attack at times, failing to take the opportunities presented to them by the visitors. A 12-6 half-time lead was challenged early in the second by the Cowboys after a Justin O’Neill try. The Sharks were to settle and control much of the second period with solid defence and a resilience in attitude far superior to that of the home side. The final thirty minutes were chaotic as well as interesting and both sides had multiple chances off the back of errors from the opposition. Sadly, there were to be no tries during that period as the Sharks held their lead and the scrappy game became increasingly ………..well, scrappy. The Sharks will take much confidence from the match and the Cowboys will need some of their stars back before they are to challenge the stronger sides in the competition. Tonight, it was the day of the shark, with the men from the Shire doing the business up north. Final Score North Queensland Cowboys………..16 Cronulla Sharks…..…………………….26
Rob
Guest
Val has been winning games for the Sharks again. Drinkwater is a touch footballer. Jake Granville is done and Cooper is to.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Thanks Stuart. Good stuff.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I think Jake is gone Rob. Don't think Robson can go 80 yet so we need someone.
Rob
Guest
Cotter should have played for instead of Jake.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thanks Stuart, great to have a real blog again.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME The Sharks have done the business in Queensland and the Cowboys lament a poor performance at home. North Queensland Cowboys………..16 Cronulla Sharks…..………….............26
Stuart Thomas
Expert
79' The Sharks look for a final score to top off their victory.......Moylan kicks and the Cowboys will be forced to play from their own line. North Queensland Cowboys………..16 Cronulla Sharks…..………….............26
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Very strange game. Error after error from us especially after we score. We could have won it with some better decisions and less errors but congrats Sharks, you were the better team.
Max Hatzoglou
Roar Pro
Cowboys gave up this game at about the 70th-minute mark. Disappointing effort.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
78' The Sharks have this one in the bag as McLean drops the ball......meekly! North Queensland Cowboys………..16 Cronulla Sharks…..………….............26
Stuart Thomas
Expert
77' Johnson kicks late in the count and the Cows win a penalty for the high contact. North Queensland Cowboys………..16 Cronulla Sharks…..………….............26
Stuart Thomas
Expert
77' Woods. North Queensland Cowboys………..16 Cronulla Sharks…..………….............26
Stuart Thomas
Expert
76' The Sharks feed and win the scrum........Mulitalo with the first run, then Katoa with a great surge. North Queensland Cowboys………..16 Cronulla Sharks…..………….............26
Stuart Thomas
Expert
75' Drinkwater on the 10 metre line.........knock on Cowboys and the Sharks have this one in the bag. North Queensland Cowboys………..16 Cronulla Sharks…..………….............26
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Radleys tackle was far more dangerous, he put him on his horizontal level back..
Stuart Thomas
Expert
74' PENALTY COWBOYS......Molo takes it forward and then Marsters follows him up. North Queensland Cowboys………..16 Cronulla Sharks…..………….............26