MATCH CENTRE
MATCH CENTRE
FINALS WEEK 1

SHARKS

V

COWBOYS

CowboysNQL WIN BY 1
14
FT
15
Allianz Stadium
2017-09-10T06:10:00Z

Preview

The reigning premiers aren't at the peak of their powers but you'd be a brave man to count them out this September as the Cowboys stand in their way in week one.

Despite losing some of their biggest stars throughout the course of 2017, the Cowboys snuck into the eight thanks to a faltering Dragons side and will look to cause a boilover by sending Paul Gallen's side packing on Sunday.

When they met just three weeks ago, the Sharks got the points up North despite the best efforts of Michael Morgan and co. however, with an unchanged 17 heading into this weeks elimination final, the Cowboys will be confident come Sunday afternoon.

The Cowboys have scored 32 tries down their left edge this season and will look to press that side with more purpose this weekend as Cronulla's left edge has leaked 30 of the 66 tries that they've conceded as a side.

In saying that, they've prided themselves on defence in the Shire and that will be no different this weekend. Jack Bird and Wade Graham return to help the Sharks continue their premiership defence. What has hindered them throughout 2017 (in comparison to 2016) has been their error count with the Sharks ranking second in the league with 266.

This has led to them giving up 16 tries throughout the season, something the Cowboys will no doubt look to exploit.

Needless to say, Jason Taumalolo's season has been phenomenal and as long as he can continue to put the side on his shoulders, they'll stand a chance in September.

The Sharks' record at Allianz Stadium isn't glamorous (17/34) however against the Cowboys, you would have to back them in to get the win. Despite slipping outside the top four, they're still an elite side when up and about and the Cowboys' big name absence could hurt them the most this weekend.

Sharks by 8.

Team Lists

Team Stats


Sharks

Cowboys

All Runs
MATCH
210.5
2024 AVG.
421
2024 TOTAL
2024 AVG.
2024 TOTAL
218.5
2024 AVG.
437
2024 TOTAL
All Run Metres
MATCH
1691
2024 AVG.
3382
2024 TOTAL
2024 AVG.
2024 TOTAL
1865
2024 AVG.
3730
2024 TOTAL
Line Breaks
MATCH
5.5
2024 AVG.
11
2024 TOTAL
2024 AVG.
2024 TOTAL
6
2024 AVG.
12
2024 TOTAL
Offloads
MATCH
9
2024 AVG.
18
2024 TOTAL
2024 AVG.
2024 TOTAL
9.5
2024 AVG.
19
2024 TOTAL
Kick Metres
MATCH
664.5
2024 AVG.
1329
2024 TOTAL
2024 AVG.
2024 TOTAL
523
2024 AVG.
1046
2024 TOTAL
Forty Twenty Kicks
MATCH
0
2024 AVG.
0
2024 TOTAL
2024 AVG.
2024 TOTAL
0
2024 AVG.
0
2024 TOTAL
Tackles Made
MATCH
323.5
2024 AVG.
647
2024 TOTAL
2024 AVG.
2024 TOTAL
343
2024 AVG.
686
2024 TOTAL
Missed Tackles
MATCH
33
2024 AVG.
66
2024 TOTAL
2024 AVG.
2024 TOTAL
20
2024 AVG.
40
2024 TOTAL
Penalties
MATCH
6.5
2024 AVG.
13
2024 TOTAL
2024 AVG.
2024 TOTAL
4
2024 AVG.
8
2024 TOTAL
Errors
MATCH
10
2024 AVG.
20
2024 TOTAL
2024 AVG.
2024 TOTAL
11.5
2024 AVG.
23
2024 TOTAL

Player Stats



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