Cowboys v Sharks: Manzelmann blow; Ravics ruled out
The final game of the round pits two teams sitting in the bottom half of ladder against each other, both no doubt determined to get the two competition points on offer.
The Cowboys suffered a heartbreaking 28-26 defeat to Canterbury in Round 6 after pushing the Bulldogs all the way. While the result didn't go their way, there were encouraging signs in attack.
Cronulla, meanwhile, fell 24-10 to the Titans and enter Round 7 having lost four of its opening six matches. The Sharks have been competitive at times but have struggled to consistently finish opportunities.
For North Queensland, this clash represents an opportunity to build on the positive elements of last week's performance. For Cronulla, it's a chance to stay connected to the finals race.
Both sides will view this as a crucial contest, and with so much at stake, expect a physical encounter where effort and field position will prove decisive.
Match: Cowboys v Sharks
Round 7 -
home Team
Cowboys
11th Position
away Team
Sharks
9th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Cowboys: Some forced changes due to injury and a new-look bench for the Cowboys this week against the Sharks after falling just short against the Bulldogs. Captain Emma Manzelmann, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a Lisfranc injury, seeing Alisha Foord promoted to start at hooker in her place. Bree Chester will captain the side in Manzelmann’s absence. Lydia Turua-Quedley will start at five-eighth for Tallara Bamblett who shifts to the reserves. The new faces on the bench this week are Lily Dick, Tafao Asaua and Nadia Windleborn, who is in line for her NRLW debut. Tayla Curtis has been shifted into the reserves, with Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell named as 18th player.
Sharks: With winger Georgia Ravics out with a calf strain, Cassie Staples returns to the backs. No other changes to last week's team that saw a few shuffles, with China Polata again in the centres and Madison Higgins-Ashby playing halfback.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca GoldthorpFullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada Taylor
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Charlize Lloyd-PhillipsWinger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail RoacheCentre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani Gray
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine PetersCentre for Sharks is number 4 China Polata
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Margot VellaWinger for Sharks is number 5 Milla Elaro
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Lydia Turua-QuedleyFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Georgia Hannaway
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Rosie KellyHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Madison Higgins-Ashby
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Essay BanuProp for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Alisha FoordHooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Ashley MarstersProp for Sharks is number 10 Caitlan Johnston-Green
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Manilita Takapautolo
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Bree Chester2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Jaydika Tafua
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Makenzie WealeLock for Sharks is number 13 Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Nadia WindlebornInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Koffi Brookfield
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Lily DickInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Tegan Dymock
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Tiana Raftstrand-SmithInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Filomina Hanisi
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Tafao AsauaInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Jacinta Carter
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Hailee-Jay Ormond-MaunsellReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Leilani Ahsam
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Emily VeiversReserve for Sharks is number 19 Olivia Herman
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Kayla JacksonReserve for Sharks is number 20 Marewakiterangi Samson
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Tayla CurtisReserve for Sharks is number 21 Nanise Vakacavu
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Tallara Bamblett
Cowboys Ins
- Emily Veivers
- Kayla Jackson
- Lydia Turua-Quedley
- Nadia Windleborn
- Tafao Asaua
Sharks Ins
- Cassie Staples
- Marewakiterangi Samson
- Nanise Vakacavu
- Olivia Herman
Cowboys Outs
- Emma Manzelmann
Sharks Ins
- Georgia Ravics
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have lost their last three games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- The Sharks have won three of their four games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys fullback Fran Goldthorp has scored four tries in her last five games.
- Sharks prop Ellie Johnston has scored a try in all three games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
