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Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys Tips & Preview - Cowboys backed in NRL semi-final

Ryan Tucker

Editor

Last updated: 18 Sep 2024

Ryan Tucker 18 Sep 2024

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Cronulla Sharks vs North QLD Cowboys expert predictions for Friday’s Semi Final NRL game
Sharks haven't won a finals game since 2018, losing 7 consecutive matches
Cowboys have won 6 of 8 games outside of Queensland in 2024

Expired

Cowboys to beat the Sharks (Getty)

Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys Predictions

Cronulla Sharks are facing exiting the NRL Finals in straights sets yet again and I'm backing North Queensland to defeat them in the finals for the second time in three seasons.

The Sharks haven’t won a finals game since the 2018 season, losing 7 consecutive finals matches.
North Queensland won their past 3 matches of the season when starting as the underdog.
North Queensland won 6 of 8 games outside of Queensland in 2024.
North Queensland have scored 20 points or more in 8 of their past 9 matches.
Kyle Feldt has scored 12 tries in his past 7 games.

Head to Head

Cronulla and North Queensland played each other twice in 2024 with the home team getting the victory in both matches.

In round 7, the Sharks won 42-6 at PointsBet Stadium, while the Cowboys replied in round 21 with a 30-22 victory at QCB Stadium.

Cronulla have dominated the Cowboys over the past six seasons, winning 10 of 12 matches. However, the last time the pair played in the finals it was the Cowboys who got up 32-30 against the favoured Sharks.

Cronulla and North Queensland have played each other three times in the finals with the Cowboys holding the edge 2-1. Also to note, all three finals games have been decided by two points or less.

Cronulla Sharks Form

The Sharks suffered the biggest defeat of any team in week 1 of the finals, going down to Melbourne 37-10, despite trailing by just 4 points at the half.

Cronulla suffered from the weight of possession but more so the weight of territory in the match, playing 66% of the first half in their end and 75% in the second half with the Storm controlling 59% of the ball in the match.

Cronulla ran for 824 metres less than Melbourne and 142 more tackles which is 58% more than than the Storm made.

The positive for the Sharks is that they scored two tries despite having just 10 tackles inside the Storms 20m.

Cronulla Sharks Team News

Craig Fitzgibbon has named an identical side to week 1 of the finals, despite the big loss.

Jesse Ramien may be an inclusion after being ruled out late with an ankle injury last week. Sione Katoa is carrying an injury and could be a late scratch.

Cronulla Sharks Team List

1. Will Kennedy

2. Sione Katoa

3. Sifa Talakai

4. Kayal Iro

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Braydon Trindall

7. Nicho Hynes

8. Toby Rudolf

9. Blayke Brailey

10. Oregon Kaufusi

11. Briton Nikora

12. Teig Wilton

13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange

14. Daniel Atkinson

15. Jack Williams

16. Royce Hunt

17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves

18. Braden Hamlin-Uele

19. Tuku Hau Tapuha

20. Jayden Berrell

21. Samuel Stonestreet

22. Jesse Ramien

North Queensland Cowboys Form

Despite going into the sheds 12-4 down, the Cowboys rallied against the Newcastle Knights through some unexpected try scorers.

Jordan McLean put the Cowboys in front in 51st minute and Reuben Cotter broke the tie in the 72nd minute after the response from Newcastle which proved to be the match winner in a 28-16 victory.

The Cowboys were the deserving winners in what was a tight match, they controlled the ball with 65% of the territory, had 380 more run metres, double the amount of linebreaks (6-3) and were tackled 33 times inside Newcastle 20m while the Knights had just 3 inside their defending 20m.

The important stat for Todd Payton and his men is the most crucial and that is that the Knights scored just 4 points in the second half, which has been the North Queensland vice in 2024, allowing their opponents back into the game after the break.

North Queensland Cowboys Team News

Todd Payton and the Cowboys came out unscathed from their match against Newcastle and have named an unchanged side.

North Queensland Cowboys Team List

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Kyle Feldt

3. Valentine Holmes

4. Villiami Vailea

5. Murray Taulagi

6. Tom Dearden

7. Jake Clifford

8. Jordan McLean

9. Reece Robson

10. Jason Taumalolo

11. Heilum Luki

12. Jeremiah Nanai

13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange

14. Sam McIntyre

15. Harrison Edwards

16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

17. Griffin Neame

Reserves

18. Jaxon Purdue

19. Chad Townsend

20. Thomas Mikaele

21. Braidon Burns

Verdict

Cronulla Sharks v North QLD Cowboys

Kyle Feldt will score his 13th try in eight games and lift the Cowboys over 19 points in the game as they go onto victory and stay alive in the 2024 NRL Finals.

North Queensland

Money Line

@7/5 - 2 Units

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Nth QLD Over 19.5

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Kyle Feldt

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