Friday night footy: Cowboys v Sharks; Broncos v Bulldogs

Half-time: The siren has sounded on a frenetic half of football, North Queensland running in five tries to two to take a 14-point lead into the sheds. Fullback Scott Drinkwater was in the thick of the action, scoring a try and setting up two others in a scintillating attacking display. Cronulla were impressive early but started to struggle as the fatigue built towards the end of the half. Cowboys 26 - Sharks 12.  

39th minute: It didn't take the Cowboys long the capitalise, Braidon Burns leaping through the air to cap a stunning 13-minute onslaught. Scott Drinkwater attacked down the shortside, Burns had too much power for KL Iro and somehow grounded the ball before being pushed into touch. Cowboys 26 - Sharks 12.  

37th minute: North Queensland will have one last chance to strike after Sifa Talakai spilled the ball in the tackle. The error came after a powerful carry, but it's the Cowboys who ultimately earn the reward. Cowboys 22 - Sharks 12. 

34th minute: The fatigue of a frenetic first half is starting to weigh down on the Sharks, who have now conceded their fourth try of the contest. Tom Chester broke through from deep inside his own half to put the Cowboys on the attack and Cronulla never regrouped. Reed Mahoney eventually scored the try, darting from the base of the ruck to capitalise on some tired defenders. Cowboys 22 - Sharks 12. 

28th minute: In a game like this it was only a matter of time before we had more points and it's the Cowboys who break through. Jaxon Purdue put his side on the attack with a break from inside his own half, beating multiple Sharks defenders before eventually being dragged down. The visitors couldn't get set defensively and Murray Taulagi barged his way over for his second of the night. Cowboys 16 - Sharks 12. 

22nd minute: The match has settled down slightly but both teams are still having plenty of success moving up and down the field. Cowboys coach Todd Payten has turned to his bench, injecting Jeremiah Nanai into the contest for his first taste of NRL action for the year. Cowboys 10 - Sharks 12.

15th minute: This game is being played at a helter-skelter pace and the Cowboys have hit straight back as the points continue to flow. An error from Toby Rudolf on the kick return handed the hosts possession and Scott Drinkwater helped dissect the Sharks right edge to send Murray Taulagi over for the try. Cowboys 10 - Sharks 12.

12th minute: Sifa Talakai has a double and the Sharks have two tries in two sets. Addin Fonua-Blake produced a quick play the ball, Blayke Brailey darted from dummy half and the visitors were off and running. Will Kennedy, Nicho Hynes and Billy Burns were all involved as the ball eventually made its way to Talakai, who crossed in the corner. It's his first double since 2023. Cowboys 6 - Sharks 10

10th minute: Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon shook up his backline for this clash and it's already paying dividends for the Sharks. Sifa Talakai has producing multiple dominant carries since coming into the centres. This time he got on the outside of Jaxon Purdue before carrying Murray Taulagi over the try line to score Cronulla's first try of the night. Cowboys 6 - Sharks 6

8th minute: We're off to the Bunker after Billy Burns scooped up a loose ball to ground the ball. Nicho Hynes put up a bomb, with Teig Wilton leaping through the air to challenge for the catch. Replays show the ball touched Wilton's hand and travelled backwards, before Addin Fonua-Blake knocked the ball out of Scott Drinkwater's hands. The ruling is a Sharks knock on, with North Queensland surviving a scare. Cowboys 6 - Sharks 0.

4th minute: The Sharks have made a couple of unforced errors through the opening exchanges of this contest, handing the Cowboys early attacking opportunities. It didn't take long for the hosts to capitalise, Scott Drinkwater slicing through the Cronulla defensive line to open the scoring. Cowboys 6 - Sharks 0. 

Kick-off: We are underway at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, with both sides looking to bounce back from last-start losses. Cronulla have an impressive recent record against the Cowboys but Todd Payten's side welcomes back Reed Mahoney, Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai for tonight's clash. The Sharks also have a big name back on deck, with Cam McInnes playing his first game since tearing his ACL late last year. Cowboys 0 - Sharks 0. 

Pre-game: The players have entered the field for a pre-game Anzac Ceremony to commemorate the sacrifices made by Defence Force personnel to defend our country. 

Stat Attack

• The Cowboys have defeated the Sharks only once in six clashes at QCB Stadium.
• The Sharks have won six of their last seven games against the Cowboys.
• Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored six tries in his last eight games at QCB Stadium
• Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes requires six points to reach 800 points for the club.
• The Cowboys have conceded 69 points in their last two games.

Late Mail

Cowboys: Jeremiah Nanai will make his comeback from off-season shoulder surgery via the interchange after coach Todd Payten made a late switch on game day. Tom Mikaele will start in the back row, with Nanai shifting to the bench. Reed Mahoney and Murray Taulagi will also return from head knocks suffered a fortnight ago. Mahoney's comeback sees Soni Luke shift to the interchange, while Taulagi replaces Zac Laybutt on the wing. Kai O’Donnell and Kaiden Lahrs dropped out of the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Laybutt remains on the six-man bench as injury cover. 

Sharks: Cam McInnes has been cleared for his first game since tearing his ACL in Round 24 last year. The inspirational skipper will come off the bench on Friday night. Sifa Talakai is also set for a new role and will shift to the centres as Craig Fitzgibbon shakes up his backline. Mawene Hiroti moves to the wing with Sione Katoa dropping out of the squad in Thursday's 24-hour update along with Tuku Hau Tapuha. No further changes in Friday's 90-minute team update. 

Broncos v Bulldogs