Sharks v Cowboys: Ramien on track; Payten's men on a roll
The Sharks and Cowboys are one win apiece in their 2024 meetings and whoever takes the 2-1 lead this weekend in Sydney will march on to a preliminary final.
The men from Townsville left it late to run down a gallant Knights outfit but look to be growing in confidence with four wins on the trot.
The Sharks took a mauling at the hands of minor premiers Melbourne and must regroup quickly if they are to avoid an eighth consecutive finals loss dating back to 2018.
Centre Jesse Ramien is racing the clock to be fit after missing the Sharks' trip to AAMI Park game with an ankle injury while the Cowboys look to have a clean bill of health as they head for their first final at Allianz Stadium since 2017, when they downed the Roosters 29-16 to move into the decider.
The form of Tom Dearden, Scott Drinkwater and Val Holmes makes the Cowboys an extremely dangerous proposition and the Sharks need to rediscover the tenacious tackling that made them the second-best defensive team behind Penrith in the regular season.
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Cowboys
5th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won 11 of their past 13 games against the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys have won three of their past four finals games against the Sharks.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 10 tries in 11 games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored 12 tries in his past seven games.
- The Sharks have lost their last seven finals matches.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
