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Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys NRL Elimination Final Tips - Wide-open final predicted

andrew-hendrie
Andrew Hendrie
Editor
Last updated: Thu 10 Sep 2026 09:01
The sudden-death NRL finals clash between the Cronulla Sharks and North Queensland Cowboys promises a high-scoring affair, with both teams showing inconsistent recent form. While the Sharks have dominated the head-to-head in the past, the Cowboys’ attacking firepower makes this a hard game to call. Key inclusions boost both teams. The best bets focus on over 47.5 points in the match, Sharks to score 28+ points, and supporting Ronaldo Mulitalo and Heilum Luki to add to their try tallies, with shootout potential at Allianz Stadium.
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Andrew Hendrie 10 Sep 2026
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  • Expect a high-scoring game: Over 47.5 total points is tipped.
  • Key try scorer picks: Ronaldo Mulitalo & Heilum Luki.
  • Both teams inconsistent; Sharks edge in head-to-head history.
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ronaldo cronulla sharks
Ronaldo Mulitalo is tipped for a try (Getty Images)


Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys Verdict


Neither side brings any momentum or form into this sudden-death finals clash. The Sharks have lost four of their last five and the Cowboys have a 3-4 record in their last seven games.

Over 47.5 total points is the main play - these two sides combined for 62 points in a finals game back in 2022, while a whopping 80 points were scored when they met earlier this season in Round 8 - and another open game at Allianz could be in prospect here.
  • Sharks & Cowboys saw 80 points when they played in R8 earlier this season
  • Cowboys concede an average of 27.1 points per game this season
  • Cowboys have conceded 50, 32, 82, 36, 38 & 40 points in their last six defeats
  • Sharks have scored the third-most points this season for an average of 28 per game
  • Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 1+ try in his last seven appearances vs Cowboys
  • Heilum Luki has scored 11 tries from 24 games this season, including four in his last six & in R8 vs Sharks

Head To Head

Cronulla have been dominant in this matchup, winning 14 of the last 17 meetings - but it was the Cowboys who won a shootout earlier this year in Townsville, while North Queensland have also won two of the last three finals matches between the sides in Sydney.

Cronulla Sharks Form

Cronulla won nine of their 10 games from Round 11 to Round 22 and appeared to be carrying strong momentum into the finals.

However, that form has fallen off a cliff over the last month or so, costing the Sharks a top four spot and now they're in real danger of crashing out of the finals at the first time of asking.

It was such a huge opportunity for Cronulla, with their final five games coming against sides that ultimately missed out on the finals. But they couldn't seize their advantage, losing to the likes of the Dragons, Raiders, Eels and Storm.

With 11 defeats from their last 15 finals games, the Sharks are under huge pressure to avoid another swift September exit.

North Queensland Cowboys Form

It's been another wildly inconsistent season for the Cowboys, but this time they've fallen on the right side of the eight and will get the chance to see if they can make an impact in the finals.

North Queensland have proven they can beat anyone in the NRL, most notably toppling Penrith in Round 17.

But the problem is they can also lose to anyone and their defence is simply not up to scratch - conceding 50 points to the Raiders at home last week is another testament to that.

But hey, if you score more points than your opponent you win - that's what the Cowboys did against the Sharks in Round 8 for a 46-34 victory and they will be looking to turn this game into another shooutout.

Sharks vs Cowboys Team News

Massive in for the Sharks as Braydon Trindall returns from injury.

Nicho Hynes, Blayke Brailey, KL Iro and Teig Wilton are also back after being rested last week.

Griffin Neame (toe), back-rower Jeremiah Nanai (knee) and winger Zac Laybutt (concussion) are all back for the Cowboys, while Reuben Cotter avoided suspension and is free to start in the forwards.

Verdict

Over 47.5 points and the Sharks to score 28+ are the best bets for this sudden-death final, with Ronaldo & Luki backed for tries.

Best Bet1: Over 47.5 Total Points @9/10 at bet365 - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Sharks Over 27.5 Total Team Points @4/5 at Star Sports - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Ronaldo Mulitalo Anytime Tryscorer @3/4 at bet365 - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Heilum Luki Anytime Tryscorer @16/5 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Over 47.5
Total Points
@9/10 - 3 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
Sharks Over 27.5
Total Team Points
@4/5 - 2 Units
Bet £20 Get £10
Use promo code NEWBONUS

18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Bet at Star Sports
Ronaldo Mulitalo
Anytime Tryscorer
@3/4 - 1 Unit
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
Heilum Luki
Anytime Tryscorer
@16/5 - 1 Unit
Bet £20 Get £10
Use promo code NEWBONUS

18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Bet at Star Sports
andrew-hendrie
Andrew Hendrie

Sports Editor • 20+ years betting experience

Andrew has been writing about sports for over a decade now after graduating with a double degree in 2013. In that time he has covered a wide range of sports, including NRL, AFL, Football (soccer), Tennis, NBA, NFL and more.


As a fan of Manchester City (since the 90s, he’s not a bandwagoner so they say), Canterbury Bulldogs and the Newcastle Jets, he’s experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows throughout the last few years.

You can find Andy at Muckrack and X.

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