From premiership dark horse to the NRL's coldest team - that's where the Sharks find themselves seven weeks out from the playoffs.
Cronulla were on track to break a four-game losing slump last week before falling asleep and allowing the Warriors to pinch a vital 19-18 win.
The Sharks have dropped to 11th on the premiership ladder and the irony is they've gone backwards since the return of their star players. Time is running out to get their title aspirations back on course.
The Cowboys gave the Rabbitohs all they could handle last week and would've felt like it was one that got away.
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Round 19 -
home Team
Sharks
10th Position
away Team
Cowboys
13th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Sharks: A late switch with Matt Prior to start at prop and Braden Hamlin-Uele moving to the bench. Prior's big-game experience will help cover for the absence of the suspended Andrew Fifita. Josh Dugan comes in at fullback for Matt Moylan, while Josh Morris returns at centre. Billy Magoulias will make his debut off the bench. Kyle Flanagan and Scott Sorensen dropped out of the extended squad on Wednesday night. Jayson Bukuya and Sione Katoa were omitted an hour before kick-off.
Cowboys: No sign of Michael Morgan (concussion) in the 21-man squad to face Cronulla. The skipper hasn't played since Origin III and is being closely monitored. Coen Hess was named on the bench but has moved into the starting side an hour before game time with Javid Bowen dropping out. Corey Jensen comes onto the bench. Peter Hola was the last man omitted before kick-off while Reuben Cotter and Gideon Gela-Mosby had dropped off the reserves list 24 hours before kick-off.
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Round 19 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Josh DuganFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sosaia FekiWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
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Centre for Sharks is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Opacic
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Centre for Sharks is number 4 Josh MorrisCentre for Cowboys is number 14 Coen Hess
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
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Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Shaun JohnsonFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 John Asiata
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Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Chad TownsendHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford
Forwards
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Prop for Sharks is number 10 Aaron WoodsProp for Cowboys is number 8 Josh McGuire
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Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Jake Granville
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Prop for Sharks is number 16 Matt PriorProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Gavin Cooper
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Shane Wright
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Lock for Sharks is number 13 Paul GallenLock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
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Interchange for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-UeleInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Matthew Scott
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Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Blayke BraileyInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Scott Bolton
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Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack WilliamsInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Francis Molo
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Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Billy MagouliasInterchange for Cowboys is number 20 Corey Jensen
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Cecchin
- Referee: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Paul Gallen v Jason Taumalolo - the old bull versus the human wrecking ball. Gallen returned from injury last week and, as he closes in on his 38th birthday, is under pressure to fend off Father Time and show he is still a force to be reckoned with. He won't get any charity from Taumalolo.
For the Sharks to win
Matt Moylan has come under fire for what is amounting to a pretty ordinary season, especially by his standards. Moylan needs to quickly rediscover his A-game if the Sharks are going to turn their season around. Shaun Johnson had a great first half last week and has to be more consistent.
For the Cowboys to win
The probable absence of Andrew Fifita through suspension again will leave a hole in the Cronulla pack. The Cowboys should look to exploit the size and strength advantage they will have up front through the likes of Taumalolo, Matt Scott, Jordan McLean, Josh McGuire and Scott Bolton.
Brett Kimmorley says
Cronulla desperately need to start winning again. That needs to come off the back of playing tough and gritty. The forwards need to do all the work. There is a short turnaround for them coming back from Wellington. For the Cowboys, Jake Clifford will be challenged to stay in the game for the full 80 minutes. I’m interested to see how he goes on Thursday night. Sharks by 2
Stat Attack
Sharks centre Josh Dugan has committed the equal most errors in the NRL (29) with Jack Wighton, while hooker Jayden Brailey has the most ineffective tackles (34). If they aren't sharper in attack and defence Cronulla could be headed for a sixth straight loss.
And another thing ...
The Sharks and Cowboys shared the spoils in two meetings last year. The Cowboys prevailed 20-14 in the first clash before Cronulla made amends with a 28-16 home win in round 23. Of the eight tries that were scored by both teams collectively, six were scored by forwards - Luke Lewis, Andrew Fifita, Jason Bukuya, Coen hess, Jordan McLean and Gavin Cooper.
