Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Sharks vs Cowboys

Finals Week 1 2026, Saturday 12 September 2026

North Queensland Cowboys

Verdict: Sharks by 10

SharksCowboys

Result: Sharks 26 defeated Cowboys 16 ✓ Tip correct

Match facts

Kick-off
Sat 12 Sep, 7:50pm AEST
Venue
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Ladder going in
Sharks 5th, Cowboys 8th
Referee
Grant Atkins
Crowd
17,429
Weather
Fine, good ground

How the experts tipped

ExpertTipTip correct
Jordan BakerSharks✓
Chris BarrettSharks✓
Zoe SamiosSharks✓
Zac BaileySharks✓
Frances HoweSharks✓
Christian NicolussiCowboys✗
Billie EderCowboys✗
Adrian ProszenkoSharks✓
Dan WalshCowboys✗
Andrew JohnsCowboys✗
Emma KempSharks✓
Neil BreenSharks✓

Going in

ClubLadder going inLast five, oldest firstModel rating
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Sharks5th LLWLL+5
North Queensland Cowboys Cowboys8th LWLWL-4.7

Last five games

Sharks

RoundOpponentScore
Round 27v StormL 20–24
Round 26at EelsL 18–38
Round 25at TitansW 30–22
Round 24v RaidersL 20–24
Round 23at DragonsL 16–24

Cowboys

RoundOpponentScore
Round 27v RaidersL 30–50
Round 26v Wests TigersW 24–10
Round 24at EelsL 30–32
Round 23at TitansW 30–8
Round 22v RoostersL 12–82

Head to head since 2024

SeasonRoundGameScoreVenue
2026Round 8Cowboys v Sharks46–34Queensland Country Bank Stadium
2025Round 22Sharks v Cowboys32–12Ocean Protect Stadium
2025Round 2Cowboys v Sharks12–36Queensland Country Bank Stadium
2024Semi-FinalsSharks v Cowboys26–18Allianz Stadium
2024Round 21Cowboys v Sharks30–22Queensland Country Bank Stadium
2024Round 7Sharks v Cowboys42–6Sharks Stadium

Team lists

Sharks

  1. 1 William Kennedy Fullback
  2. 2 Sione Katoa Winger
  3. 3 Riley Jones Centre
  4. 4 KL Iro Centre
  5. 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo Winger
  6. 6 Braydon Trindall Five-Eighth
  7. 7 Nicho Hynes Halfback
  8. 8 Addin Fonua-Blake Prop
  9. 9 Blayke Brailey (c) Hooker
  10. 10 Jesse Colquhoun Prop
  11. 11 Briton Nikora 2nd Row
  12. 12 Teig Wilton 2nd Row
  13. 13 Cameron McInnes (c) Lock
  14. 14 Siosifa Talakai Interchange
  15. 15 Billy Burns Interchange
  16. 16 Oregon Kaufusi Interchange
  17. 17 Thomas Hazelton Interchange
  18. 19 Toby Rudolf Reserve
  19. 20 Niwhai Puru Reserve

Coach: Craig Fitzgibbon

In Blayke Brailey, Braydon Trindall, KL Iro, Nicho Hynes, Teig Wilton, Thomas Hazelton

Out Braden Uele, Hohepa Puru, Michael Gabrael, Niwhai Puru, Riley Pollard, Toby Rudolf

vs Round 27 v Storm

Cowboys

  1. 1 Scott Drinkwater Fullback
  2. 2 Braidon Burns Winger
  3. 3 Jaxon Purdue Centre
  4. 4 Tom Chester Centre
  5. 5 Zac Laybutt Winger
  6. 6 Jake Clifford Five-Eighth
  7. 7 Tom Dearden (c) Halfback
  8. 8 Griffin Neame Prop
  9. 9 Reed Mahoney Hooker
  10. 10 Jason Taumalolo Prop
  11. 11 Heilum Luki 2nd Row
  12. 12 Jeremiah Nanai Interchange
  13. 13 Reuben Cotter (c) Lock
  14. 14 Soni Luke Interchange
  15. 15 John Bateman 2nd Row
  16. 17 Coen Hess Interchange
  17. 18 Kaiden Lahrs Reserve
  18. 19 Ethan King Reserve
  19. 21 Sam McIntyre Interchange

Coach: Todd Payten

In Griffin Neame, Jeremiah Nanai, Zac Laybutt

Out Kaiden Lahrs, Robert Derby, Sam McIntyre, Thomas Mikaele

vs Round 27 v Raiders

Numbers as named by each club on nrl.com. Changes are measured against the club's previous game.

Why the model leaned this way

Going in, Sharks rated +5 and Cowboys -4.7 on our scale, a gap of 9.7 points at a ground neither club calls home.

Scoring

Sharks
Tries Siosifa Talakai 19', Sione Katoa 31', Sione Katoa 48', William Kennedy 60', Nicho Hynes 65'
Goals 2/5, pen Nicho Hynes 5'
Half-time 12
Cowboys
Tries Braidon Burns 26', Zac Laybutt 56', Jaxon Purdue 71'
Goals 2/3
Half-time 6

Draw, teams and scoring: nrl.com match centre. Expert tips: The Sydney Morning Herald panel.