Cowboys v Sharks: Dearden out; Colquhoun to debut for Talakai
North Queensland host the Sharks on Friday night at Queensland Country Bank Stadium looking to break a seven-game losing streak against the visitors that stretches back to 2018.
A Johnathan Thurston-led Cowboys got the chocolates in round one that night but since then it's been all one-way traffic with Cronulla racking up wins in both Sydney and Townsville.
Cronulla's big win over Melbourne in round 17 has them in the top four while the victory against their rivals has helped the Cowboys move to second on points differential.
With both side's looking for their fifth win in a row, the top four battle is set to be one of the matches of the round.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Cowboys v Sharks
The Rundown
Team news
Cowboys: Tom Dearden won't play after his Origin heroics on Wednesday night and is replaced in the run-on side by Ben Hampton. Hampton's inclusion in the halves alongside Chad Townsend sees Tomas Chester join the bench. Tom Gilbert is set to start in the back row alongside Luciano Leilua, with Connelly Lemuelu moving to the bench.
Sharks: Siosifa Talakai has been replaced on the bench by 20-year-old debutant Jesse Colquhoun after sustaining a shoulder Injury in Wednesday's Origin decidder. Nicho Hynes and Toby Rudolf are set to play after the pair missed last week's win over the Storm due to COVID-19 protocols.
Match: Cowboys v Sharks
Round 18 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
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Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
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Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta HikuCentre for Sharks is number 4 Connor Tracey
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Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Brendan ElliotWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 16 Ben HamptonFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
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Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad TownsendHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
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Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-BrownProp for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
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Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Coen HessProp for Sharks is number 10 Royce Hunt
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tom Gilbert2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Teig Wilton
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 15 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
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Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason TaumaloloLock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane
Interchange
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 12 Connelly LemueluInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Cameron McInnes
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake GranvilleInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Braden Hamlin-Uele
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin NeameInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew Fifita
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Tom ChesterInterchange for Sharks is number 19 Jesse Colquhoun
Reserves
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Replacement for Cowboys is number 22 Riley PriceReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Braydon Trindall
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Key match-up
Chad Townsend v Nicho Hynes: A former premiership-winning Sharks lines up against the man who indirectly replaced him in the shire this season. It's safe to say both parties have benefitted from their moves to rival clubs in 2022 with Townsend enjoying a maiden season at the Cowboys. With the departures of Townsend and Shaun Johnson last year, the Sharks have found a playmaker who brings organisation and an X-factor to the side's play. Cronulla's win without Hynes was equally as impressive.
Stat Attack
Cronulla have made 28 more line breaks than the Cowboys in 2022 and lead the competition in this stat overall, ahead of the Storm and Panthers. Sharks wingers Ronaldo Mulitalo (22) and Sione Katoa (16) are in the NRL's top three while Murray Taulagi leads the way for the Cowboys on 11.
Match: Cowboys v Sharks
Round 18 -
home Team
Cowboys
2nd Position
away Team
Sharks
3rd Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
