North Queensland are set to continue their charge to the finals when they host the depleted Sharks.
North Queensland Cowboys v Cronulla Sharks at 1300SMILES Stadium, Monday 7pm
Head to head: Cowboys 13 Sharks 21
Last time: Round 19 – Cowboys 36 bt Sharks 18 at Remondis Stadium
Ladbrokes: Cowboys $1.02, Sharks $15
Betfair: Cowboys $1.05, Sharks $15.50
Michael Chammas writes: This could get ugly. The Cowboys are arguably the form team in the competition and are coming up against a depleted Cronulla side. Don't be surprised if Johnathan Thurston earns an early rest in this one after the Cowboys pile on the points.
Tip: Cowboys by 40
AAP writes: It has all the ingredients of the ultimate banana skin match. North Queensland are flying high and hoping to secure a home final with their ninth straight win in Townsville. Cronulla? After ASADA bans, sackings, retirements and injuries have ravaged their player stocks they're the ultimate outsiders. While Cowboys fans should remember Round 17 when the Sharks came back from 24-0 down to upset the Roosters 30-28, it is hard to see a Johnathan Thurston-inspired Cowboys slipping up especially after their last-round away win over Souths.
Key: The Cowboys have won their home matches this year by an average of more than 20 points and this looms as an ideal chance to boost their percentage and keep their top four hopes alive.
G'day all and welcome to League HQ's live coverage from 1300SMILES Stadium. The team news is in, and the Cowboys line up 1-17, with Taumalolo at lock and Cooper in the back row as per the program. Michael Lichaa and Tinirau Arona are out for the Sharks, with Pat Politoni and Junior Roqica swapping in. Penani Manumalealii and Patrice Siolo (on debut) are also named.
Young gun Patrice warming up for his first game in the NRL #UpUpCronulla pic.twitter.com/ovjAXQMnmQ — Cronulla Sharks RLFC (@Cronulla_Sharks) September 1, 2014
So, it took less than three minutes for the Cowboys to hurt the Sharks. This could get horrifically ugly.
The Cowboys go wide right off the back of a couple of second man plays. Good work from Moga, but in the end, the ball flies into touch.
And we're off, and it's the Cowboys right from the off. They receive the ball, pick up a penalty and score on the third tackle of the set.It's Jason Taumalolo, who flops down to the right of the upright, taking Heighington with him. Too easy for the lock - and the Cowboys. JT converts COWBOYS 6 SHARKS 0
