NRL: Sharks out to break Finals hoodoo

A place in the Preliminary Final is up for grabs when Cronulla Sharks and North Queensland Cowboys clash on Friday night.

It is the business end of the season, and for one of these two teams the campaign will come to an end.

The Sharks can be backed at 5.50 to go on and reach the grand final, while the Cowboys are 7.00 to do the same.

The Sharks have to bounce back after being mauled by Melbourne Storm at the weekend, while the Cowboys should be feeling good after overcoming the Newcastle Knights.

There is not a great deal to separate the two sides, who have won one game each on the two occasions they have met in 2024.

But this latest one is the biggest yet and we could be in for a cracker of a semi-final.

. What: Cronulla Sharks v North Queensland Cowboys
. Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
. When: 19:50 (AEST), Friday 20th September
. How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo, Channel 9
. Odds: Cronulla Sharks 1.58, North Queensland Cowboys 2.40

Sharks look to bounce back

Cronulla have to pick themselves up quickly after being crushed 37-10 by the Melbourne Storm on Saturday night.

At least they get a second bite of the cherry, but they must take it or their season will come to an abrupt end.

They do not have a great record in finals either, losing their last seven matches, and the pressure is on to snap that streak.

The Sharks do have a good record against the Cowboys however, winning 11 of the last 13 matches between the two sides.

When the two sides met at Shark Park in Round 7 in April, the Sharks ran out convincing 42-6 winners.

It should be closer on this occasion, but the Sharks can still be backed at 2.80 to win by 13+ points.

Ronaldo Mulitalo scored two tries in that win and has scored 10 tries in 11 games against the Cowboys.

The prolific winger is sure to be a huge threat once again and will be gunning to be among the tries.

Cowboys fit and firing

The Cowboys look to have a clean bill of health following the win over Newcastle, and will be a real test for the Sharks.

Their record against the Sharks in finals is good, winning three out of four games, while they also have happy memories of Allianz Stadium.

They beat the Roosters there in 2017, which proves that anything is possible in finals.

Tom Dearden, Scott Drinkwater and Val Holmes are all in great form and will be crucial to the Cowboys chances of getting a win.

So will winger Kyle Feldt, who has scored 12 tries in the last seven games and will be out for more on Friday night.

If the Cowboys are to get the win, it is likely to be tight, and they can be backed at 7.00 to win by 1-5 points.