NRL Finals Week 1 Preview and Prediction - Cronulla Sharks v North Queensland Cowboys @ Allianz Stadium

Cronulla Sharks (5th) v North Queensland Cowboys (8th) @ Allianz Stadium

Preview - The Sharks will be looking to keep their quest of defending their 2016 Premiership alive when they see the Cowboys in the 2nd Elimination Final at Shark Park on Sunday afternoon. The Sharks failed to sneak into the all-important Top 4, however rounded out the regular season with a 26-18 victory over a plucky Knights’ side on Old Boys Day in Newcastle. The Cowboys were forced to suffer a nervous wait before locking in the last finals spot, as they lost to the Broncos on Friday night before the Dragons loss on Sunday saw them clinch a finals’ berth. It's been great effort for the Cowboys to win 13 games this season, without Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott for the majority of the season, and they head into this game having not much to lose. 
 
History - The Sharks will be looking for a clean sweep of 3 victories against the Cowboys in 2017 when they hit the turf at Allianz Stadium on Sunday. In Round 24 the Sharks took advantage of an injury-riddled Cowboys side to win 26-16 at 1300 Smiles Stadium. In Round 11, the Sharks trailled 14-0 at halftime, before rallying to knock off the Cowboys 18-14. These two sides met in last year’s Preliminary Final where the Sharks ambushed the Cowboys early on their way to the Grand Final, winning 32-20. Historically the Sharks hold the edge over the Cowboys, with 27 wins to 16 over North Queensland. 

Cronulla Sharks’ Scouting Report - The Sharks hit the finals by welcoming back a couple of their big guns with Jack Bird (shoulder) and Wade Graham (calf) both expected to return to the starting side.  Sam Tagataese though is expected to miss out again through injury while Luke Lewis (shoulder) and Jayson Bukuya (ankle) are expected to line up despite niggling injuries. Sharks Captain, Paul Gallen, showed age is not slowing him down with a barnstorming performance last week against the Knights, running for over 270 metres. 
 
North Queensland Cowboys’ Scouting Report - The Cowboys finally appear to be putting a settled side on the table after a few months where injury has forced them to chop and change their side a lot. Antonio Winterstein is in doubt with a hamstring issue, however both he and Te Maire Martin are expected to play despite niggling injuries. 
 
Verdict - Sharks by 1-8

I give the Cowboys a real chance of causing an upset here against a Sharks’ team that has really struggled at home this season. Whilst the argument for the last couple of months has been the Cowboys are beat up and broken outside of Scott and Thurston, they have their line-up intact here and it is still a quality side. The Cowboys have got in the grind in just about every game this year, and I think they have been more consistent than the Sharks in terms of their effort across 80 minutes. However, the Sharks know what winning finals is about after last season and, with virtually the same squad, you have to think they can go up a notch in this elimination game. I expect the Sharks to win however I don't think they will gave it all their own way.