<p>Two years removed from one of the greatest qualifying finals of all time, the Sharks and the Cowboys once again scrap in September.</p> <p>That day saw the Cowboys triumph in a 32-30 golden point epic that required an additional 12 minutes of game time to find a winner.</p> <p>Former Cronulla star boy Valentine Holmes was the hero, but for his new employers North Queensland, slotting an outrageous 40m field goal to shoot Cronulla down.</p> <p>Fast forward 24 months and you can bet the Sharks will be hungry for some measure of revenge, will they find it on Friday night?</p> <p>The winner of this one moves onto the Prelims, where reigning back-to-back-to-back Premiers Penrith are patiently waiting.</p> <p>Who will step into the Panthers’ den and whose season ends here? Let’s find out! For the latest news, analysis, players to watch, betting tips odds and more for this clash, check out our Sharks vs Cowboys predictions and preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sharks vs Cowboys Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The first week of the NRL finals was not kind to the Sharks, however their 37-10 loss to Melbourne, was somewhat expected.</p> <p>Still, it did little to ease fears about their ability to hack it in the big time. They’ve now lost their last seven consecutive finals games.</p> <p>Head coach Criag Fitzgibbon is still searching for his first finals win, despite leading them to three straight finals series in his first three years at the club.</p> <p>If the Cowboys have it their way, that streak will be extended to eight games. If the Cowboys do repeat their 2022 heroics, it will condemn the Sharks to an unwanted piece of history, as they will become the first club in NRL history to lose eight finals games in a row.</p> <p>With that unwanted record looming at the forefront of this clash, let’s take a look at some of the key players from both sides who will decide whether or not Cronulla record an unwanted piece of history.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Players to Watch</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Valentine Holmes</h3> <p>Undoubtedly the main man to keep an eye on storyline-wise is Valentine Holmes. There’s more plot points surrounding this man than Pulp Fiction.</p> <p>As mentioned, he was the man who was responsible for shooting down the Sharks last time these sides met in a finals match. He is also facing the club where he made his name in the NRL.</p> <p>This could also be his final ever game for the Cowboys, as he has signed on the dotted line for 2025 and beyond with St George.</p> <p>Put all that together and we have no doubt Val will be primed for a big showing on Friday night.</p>

<h3>Cameron McInnes</h3> <p>The Sharks’ Mr Reliable and the man who seems incapable of giving a post-game interview without blood pouring from his face.</p> <p>There will be no one who will be more desperate to end Cronulla’s finals’ curse than their tough as nail skipper, who quite literally gives his blood, sweat and tears for the club every week.</p> <p>Expect McInnes to tackle himself to a standstill in an attempt to drag his side into the preliminary finals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Tom Dearden</h3> <p>North Queensland’s diminutive standoff sealed the deal last week against the Knights and will be looking for another big display down south against the Sharks.</p> <p>Dearden’s running game has been paramount to the Cowboy’s success in recent seasons and his six tackle breaks, one line break and game sealing try last start proved that.</p> <p>If the Sharks are to lose eight finals games in a row, Tommy Dearden will be a big part of the reason why.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Will Kennedy</h3> <p>Another player with a renowned running game is Cronulla’s man at the back Will Kennedy.</p> <p>The dynamic fullback has been somewhat quiet by his own standards of late. However, natural ability usually comes to the fore on the big stage and there is no bigger stage than do-or-die finals footy. Keep an eye on Kennedy as he tries to weave his magic and help Cronulla to a drought-breaking victory.</p>

<h2>Sharks vs Cowboys Prediction and Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Despite their well-advertised September struggles Cronulla enter this clash as favourites in the H2H market.</p> <p>When NSW and QLD teams clash home ground advantage is always amplified due to travel and ground conditions.</p> <p>So, the Sharks have that working in their favour, and while the Cowboys did win last week, they were far from convincing at home against a Newcastle side who only just scraped into the eight.</p> <p>Finally, standing on the precipice of an unwanted piece of history, Cronulla have the ultimate motivation to go out and win this one.</p> <p>We’re tipping them to flip the script from two years ago and get home in a thriller here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Cronulla Sharks.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Try Scorer Prediction</h3> <p>If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Departing Cowboys Kyle Feldt got the chocolates for us in this market last week and we’re tipping him again to continue making the most of his time left in the NRL.</p> <p>The Cowboys love swinging it over to his side and he’s always great value to open the scoring.</p> <p>If you instead feel inclined to side with a Shark here, boom rookie Kayal Iro is an enticing option.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Kyle Feldt or Kayal Iro.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Prediction</h3> <p>On the two occasions the Sharks and Cowboys have faced this season, both matches have exceeded the 45.5 set total match points.</p> <p>First the Sharks won 42-6, then the Cowboys returned serve in the rematch getting up 30-22.</p> <p>In addition to these two high scoring games, that last epic finals encounter between these two also smashed the 45.5 point mark, finishing 32-30.</p> <p>No need to be a mathematician to figure out what we’re backing here. Over all day.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Over total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Sharks vs Cowboys Match Details</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Friday, September 20, 2024.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off:</strong> 7:50pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Allianz Stadium, Sydney.&nbsp;</p>