The Cronulla Sharks and North Queensland Cowboys will continue their finals rivalry in an elimination final at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night. 

The Sharks enter the weekend having lost four of their last five matches and now face a side they have met six times in the postseason since 2013. Cronulla won the most recent of those encounters 26-18 in a 2024 semi-final. 

Meanwhile, the Cowboys enter the finals having conceded the most points of any top-eight team this season, with their defensive struggles again evident in a 50-30 loss to the Raiders last week. However, they did defeat the Sharks 46-34 when these sides met in Round 8. 

Cronulla regains Braydon Trindall and Thomas Hazelton, while KL Iro, Nicho Hynes, Blayke Brailey and Teig Wilton are all recalled after being rested last weekend. Griffin Neame, Jeremiah Nanai and Zac Laybutt return for the Cowboys.

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights ahead of this Elimination Final, check out our Sharks vs Cowboys tips and predictions below!

Sharks vs Cowboys Prediction and Betting Tips 

Head-to-Head Prediction 

Both of these sides enter the Finals well and truly in decline. The Sharks were once considered serious smokeys for the title, even belting the Phins 66-0 at Suncorp a few months back. 

Now they arrive at this do-or-die match with one win in their last five. The Cowboys haven’t been faring much better. They only won two of their last five and enter this one off the back of conceding 50 at home to an 11th placed Raiders side with one eye on Mad Monday.

North Queensland have no problem scoring tries, they’ve scored between 21 and 30 points in each of their last four matches. It’s keeping them out that prevails as the biggest problem for Payton’s side. 

Speaking of prevailing problems, Cronulla has lost each of their last three Finals Week 1 matches as a favourite, which reads like a Stephen King novel for supporters that call the Shire home – pure horror. 

There’s statistical landmines everywhere you look for this one, and despite Cronulla’s historical struggles in the opening week of the finals, we just can’t bring ourselves to back a side who have conceded scores of 82, 50 and 32, in the last month. 

Betting tip: Cronulla Sharks.

First Try Scorer Prediction 

Backing a veteran forward as first try scorer may seem strange but hear us out. Experience is everything when it comes to the finals. They are grinding, trepidatious affairs, so for those who have been forged in the finals fire multiple times certainly carry a distinct advantage.

One man who has more finals experience than nearly anyone else who will run out on Ocean Protect Stadium on Saturday night is Jason Taumalolo.

Not only is Taumalolo a premiership winner, but he has scored a try in each of North Queensland's last three Finals Week 1 matches in Sydney. That’s a pretty insane statistic for a front rower and is the green light needed to back this value play. 

Betting tip: Jason Taumalolo.

Over/Under Prediction 

Each of Cronulla's last five night matches have gone under the total match points line.

Betting tip: Under 47.5 total match points. 

Line Prediction

The underdog has covered the line in each of Cronulla's last five matches.

Betting tip: Cowboys (+7.5) line. 

Sharks vs Cowboys Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips 

Ronaldo Mulitalo

Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored at least one try in each of his last seven appearances against North Queensland.

Braidon Burns

Braidon Burns has scored at least one try in each of his last 12 appearances in Sydney.

KL Iro

KL Iro has scored at least one try in three of his last four appearances against North Queensland.

Jeremiah Nanai

Jeremiah Nanai has scored a try in four of his last five appearances against teams on a losing streak.

Cameron McInnes

Cameron McInnes has scored a try in each of Cronulla's last two finals matches against North Queensland.

Jaxon Purdue

Jaxon Purdue has scored a try in three of North Queensland's last four matches.

Sharks vs Cowboys Teams 

Cronulla Sharks Team List 

1. Will Kennedy 

2. Sione Katoa

3. Riley Jones

4. KL Iro

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Braydon Trindall

7. Nicho Hynes

8. Addin Fanua-Blake

9. Blayke Brailey (c)

10. Jesse Colquhoun

11. Briton Nikora

12. Teig Wilton

13. Cam McInnes

14. Siosifa Talakai

15. Billy Burns

16. Oregon Kaufusi

17. Tom Hazelton

18. Hohepa Puru

19. Toby Rudolf

North Queensland Cowboys Team List 

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Braidon Burns

3. Jaxon Purdue

4. Tom Chester

5. Zac Laybutt

6. Jake Clifford

7. Tom Dearden (c)

8. Griffin Neame

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Jason Taumalolo

11. Heilum Luki

12. Jeremiah Nanai

13. Rueben Cotter

14. Soni Luke

15. John Bateman

16. Tom Mikaele

17. Coen Hess

18. Kaiden Lahrs

19. Ethan King

Sharks vs Cowboys Match Details 

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026. 

Kick-off: 7:50pm AEST. 

Location: Allianz Stadium, Sydney.