NRL Match Preview: Sharks v Cowboys
A golden opportunity is waiting to be seized by the Sharks when they host the Cowboys in a sudden-death semi-final at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
With a sea of black, white and blue poised to turn the Moore Park venue into Sydney's Shark Tank, Cronulla will aim to utilise the home-city advantage and surge towards a place in next week's preliminary final against the Panthers.
The Sharks are determined to bounce back from a qualifying final defeat to the Storm, with their fourth-place finish in the regular season providing a safety net. North Queensland, meanwhile, are high on confidence after a 28-16 comeback victory over the Knights that kept their campaign alive.
In pursuit of the club's first playoffs victory since 2018, Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon declared his team are embracing the pressure and anticipation.
"We're so grateful to be here," he said.
"I feel like it's been such an enjoyable year, challenging and exciting. We've earned the right for this next crack, thankfully – we needed it after last week. We hope everyone is still on board with us.
"We're not shying away from that (finals) challenge. You ultimately work the whole season to get this opportunity. That's what we're so excited about.
"You work so hard to be involved in the biggest games. This is where we want to be. To get one done would be amazing. It'd be confidence-building and it'd be just rewards for a hard season and a good season.
"But it'll be a challenge. The Cowboys are playing really well. Their squad is chocked with Origin-class players and final winners."
If Cronulla need a boost, Fitzgibbon expects the Sharks-centric crowd at Allianz Stadium to ride them home.
"We're really excited to get back there and it'd be nice to see plenty of black, white and blue out there and get behind us," he said.
Tomorrow's blockbuster fixture will mark the sixth playoffs meeting between the Sharks and North Queensland. The Cowboys boast a 3-2 record.
Only a field goal has separated the teams in their two most recent post-season clashes in 2017 and 2022, with North Queensland prevailing on both occasions.
However, the Shire men famously downed the Cowboys in the 2016 preliminary final at the old Sydney Football Stadium – on the same site as the revamped Allianz Stadium – on their way to claiming the club's maiden premiership.
Cronulla have won 11 of their past 13 games against North Queensland, including a 42-6 demolition in Round 7 this year at PointsBet Stadium. Though the Cowboys won the return bout in Townsville in Round 21, the Sharks were missing several key players.
Fitzgibbon has retained the same 17 players that faced Melbourne, however strike centre Jesse Ramien remains on the extended bench as he nears a return from an ankle injury.
While not confirming he would play, Fitzgibbon rated Ramien a decent chance of reclaiming his place after a strong training effort on Wednesday.
North Queensland coach Todd Payten has also named an unchanged line-up, with Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder) and Murray Taulagi (hamstring) good to go.
Speaking earlier this week, Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes matched Fitzgibbon's enthusiasm for harnessing the enormity of the occasion.
"I've been wanting a moment like this forever," Hynes said.
"I want to win finals games, I want to play in grand finals, I want to compete for grand finals.
"This whole club is hungry for it, so we're ready to go."
Don't miss a historic battle – CLICK HERE to secure a ticket!
If you can't attend, the Sharks Footy Fest live site at the Sharks at Kareela club is the next-best place to soak up the tribal atmosphere alongside fellow fans.
The match will be broadcast live on Nine, Nine Now, Foxtel and Kayo.
See the updated squads below.
