Coming into this game following a weekend off with the bye, this is shaping as a must-win game for the Cowboys - who currently sit in ninth spot on the ladder - if they want to make a realistic tilt at finals football.
The home side will have to turn around a recent run of poor form with two consecutive losses to their Queensland counterparts in the Titans and Broncos when they host an improved Sharks side who have won their past two matches in convincing fashion.
The fifth-placed Cronulla side were taught a lesson by Penrith in Round 22 where they were held scoreless, but have since clicked back into gear against the Rabbitohs and Titans.
Paul Green, who played for the Sharks and coached the Cowboys to their 2015 premiership, will again be honoured this Thursday night with the player of the match being awarded the Paul Green Medal. Sharks half Nicho Hynes won the inaugural medal when the two sides met in Round 9.
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Team News
Cowboys: No late changes for the home side an hour before kick-off. A boost for the Cowboys with back-rower Jeremiah Nanai returning ahead of schedule from a shoulder injury. Coen Hess goes back to the bench and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown to 18th Man. Kyle Feldt is named on the wing, with Maroons winger Murray Taualgi set to play in the centres. Veteran prop James Tamou dropped off the reserves list on Wednesday when the squad was trimmed to 19 and will continue to work his way back from a long-term foot injury through Queensland Cup.
Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Forward Thomas Hazelton returns after missing Round 24 with concussion so Jesse Colquhoun goes back to the bench in the only change to the squad that downed the Titans.
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Stat Attack
- Cowboys captain Jason Taumalolo is set to play in his 250th NRL game this week.
- The Cowboys have won six of their past seven games at QCB Stadium.
- The Sharks have won nine of their past 10 games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend requires one point for 500 career points.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored five tries in his past five games.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.