NRL Tipping: Expert tips for Finals Week 2

It's loser leaves town time in the NRL Telstra Premiership, as four of the remaining six sides fight for the right to keep their title dream alive. 

On Friday night the Sharks will seek to end a horror run of winless finals appearances when they host the in-form Cowboys, before the Sea Eagles – fresh off a miraculous escape last week against the Bulldogs – travel to face a Roosters side who'll be hurting from a loss to the Panthers. 

See who our NRL.com writers are picking to emerge victorious in Finals Week 2. 

Sharks v Cowboys

Brad Walter: The Sharks showed against Manly two weeks ago what they are capable of and they have been near the top of the table all season for a reason. The Cowboys on the other hand have been inconsistent and could have easily lost against the Knights last weekend. Sharks by 2.

Cameron Mee: North Queensland are riding high and full of confidence after a tight victory over the Knights last week, while Cronulla are reeling after yet another finals loss. The key to defeating the Sharks is to slow their pack down and the Cowboys have the muscle up front to pull this off. While the travel will add to the challenge, look for Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai to lay the foundation up front. Cowboys by 6.

Colleen Edwards: No strangers to facing off in finals, having played out a thriller in Week 1 of 2022, the Sharks and Cowboys are set to serve up another cracking encounter. North Queensland say the trip to Sydney holds no fear for them and I think in the end they should have more points in them than the Sharks do. Cowboys by 6.

Corey Rosser: After travelling from Townsville to Sydney on the back of an end-to-end contest last week which will have zapped plenty of energy, I reckon the Cowboys are up against it big time here. The Sharks don't fill me with confidence right now, but this is close to a career-defining moment for Nicho Hynes, given he and Cronulla's uninspiring finals record of late, and I think they'll be right on for this one. Sharks by 2. 

Martin Lenehan: The Sharks have now lost seven finals games on the trot and look to have a serious mental block about big games in September. They were blown off the park by the Storm and now face a dangerous and unpredictable opponent capable of rattling up points for fun. With Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter leading the way, the Cowboys will ride into Sydney and ambush the Sharks.
Cowboys by 8.