Gameday Thursday Night Football Match Discussion Thread - Cronulla v Cowboys

[Jatz]

v
Team lists:

Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Jack Bird 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Gerard Beale 6. James Maloney 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Chris Heighington 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen. Interchange: 14. Kurt Capewell 15. Jayson Bukuya 16. Jeremy Latimore 17. Sam Tagataese 18. Joseph Paulo 19. Daniel Mortimer 20. Edrick Lee 21. Kurt Dillon

Cowboys: 1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Michael Morgan 7. Ray Thompson 8. John Asiata 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14. Ben Hampton 15. Coen Hess 16. Shaun Fensom 17. Ben Spina 18. Kyle Laybutt 19. Johnathan Thurston 20. Corey Jensen 21. Kalyn Ponga

Broadcast:

The game is broadcast live on Channel 9 in NSW/QLD, GEM in VIC/SA/WA and Fox League (channel 502). The match kicks off at 7:50pm AEST.

The Odds (via Sportsbet - please, gamble responsibly...) :

Sharks $1.45 - Cowboys $2.85

The stats:

Head to head: Played 41, Cronulla 25, Cowboys 16

At Shark Park: Played 17, Cronulla 12, Cowboys 5

Past 5 clashes:

2016 – Cronulla d Cowboys 32-20 at Allianz

2016 – Cronulla d Cowboys 13-10 at Shark Park

2016 – Cowboys d Cronulla 20-14 at 1300 Smiles

2015 – Cowboys d Cronulla 39-0 at 1300 Smiles

2015 – Cronulla d Cowboys 30-18 at Shark Park

Team info:

Sharks: Cronulla come into this game on the back of an unconvincing win against the Dragons in the derby – in fact, if it wasn’t for a missed knock on, they may not have won at all. While they keep winning, they’ve not been convincing of late, particularly at home. Their last two home games resulted in a 1 point win against the Knights and a loss to the Gold Coast. They’ll be looking to rectify that with a good performance against a depleted Cowboys side.

Key injuries: Matt Prior – suspension (round 12), Jayson Bukuya – shoudler (indefinite), James Segeyaro – arm (round 14), Tony Williams – ACL (season)

Cowboys: The Cowboys produced a stellar effort last Thursday night, in a big win against the Bulldogs. They’ll be looking for a similar performance tonight in the shire. Their forwards will need to dominate in the ruck if they’re any chance but the key to a Cowboys win lies with Michael Morgan. He was absolutely fantastic last week and played a hand in everything. He’ll need to emulate that again if the Cowboys are to get up tonight. Interesting to note, Thurston has been named on an extended bench – I’d be very surprised if he actually plays though.

Key injuries: Matt Scott – ACL (season)

My tip (2 for 5 so far on Thursday night tips):

After a disappointing tip last week, I’m again going for the safe option with the Sharks. While the Cowboys definitely surprised me last week, winning back to back games in Sydney would have been a tall ask with a full side, let alone the team they’ve currently got. The Sharks should be too strong at home.

Sharks by 14

 

[Aucklander]

Another upset brewing to start the round off.

 

[Aucklander]

As the Sharks hit back again.

 

[Aucklander]

Great offload to set up Townsend.

 

[Aucklander]

That's a beautiful try......maybe

 

[Aucklander]

Yep, a beauty.

 

[Aucklander]

Impressive comeback by the Sharks.

 

[Aucklander]

Wow, they've let worse go.

 

[Aucklander]

Cowboys blow a great opportunity.

 

[Aucklander]

Poor call ref.

 

[Aucklander]

Last chance here for the Cowboys.

 

[Aucklander]

18-14 Sharks final score.