Sharks v Cowboys: Fitzy names unchanged 17; Cotter to bench
The Sharks play host to the Cowboys at PointsBet Stadium in what is expected be an emotional occasion as both sides play in the inaugural Paul Green medal match on Thursday night.
Green, who played for both clubs before coaching the Cowboys to their maiden premiership in 2015, tragically passed away last year, with the two clubs uniting to name the player of the match medal from the game in Green's honour.
On the field, both sides are coming off crucial wins in Round 8 and will resume their rivalry having met on 50 occasions prior, with the Sharks leading the Cowboys in the head-to-head battle 32-18.
Their most recent encounter was a thrilling finals game last season which saw the Cowboys come out on top thanks to a Valentine Holmes field goal in Golden Point.
While it might have been Todd Payten's men who prevailed in last year's knockout rounds, Craig Fitzgibbon's side will head into Thursday's game as strong favourites with a 4-3 record in comparison to the Cowboys' 3-5 start to the year.
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Round 9 -
home Team
Sharks
2nd Position
away Team
Cowboys
15th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Sharks: The Sharks are going with the same 17 that got the job done against the Bulldogs in Round 8 and there are no late changes. Braydon Trindall is 18th Man. Skipper Dale Finucane is due back from suspension next week at Magic Round.
Cowboys: In a game day switch Reuben Cotter goes back to the bench and Jake Granville will start as they did last week. Murray Taulagi was cited for a late tackle on Dane Gagai but is right to play after receiving a fine. Heilum Luki (hamstring) is still another week away. Riley Price is 18th Man.
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Round 9 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa TalakaiCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt MoylanFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Oregon KaufusiProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-UeleProp for Cowboys is number 10 Coen Hess
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Jack Gosiewski
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Cowboys is number 15 Jake Granville
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Wade GrahamInterchange for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack WilliamsInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Tom Chester
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Royce HuntInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas HazeltonInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Mitchell Dunn
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Riley Price
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 18 Braydon Trindall
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won eight of their past nine games against the Cowboys.
- Kyle Feldt has scored 13 tries in his past 15 games against the Sharks.
- Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 17 tries in 17 games at PointsBet Stadium.
- Coen Hess will make his 150th NRL appearance since his debut in 2015.
- Sharks fullback William Kennedy has scored nine tries in his past six games but has just three tries in his last eight games at PointsBet Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
