As it happened: Sharks outlast Dragons; Eels edge Cowboys

Press Conferences

Full-time: The Sharks have secured a hard-fought victory to finish their season on a high. Three tries in the space of 10 minutes after the break allowed Cronulla to turn a 4-0 half-time deficit into a 16-4 lead and they did enough to close out the game. Sharks 16 - Dragons 8.

68th minute: St George Illawarra have capitalised on the successful challenge, orchestrating a left-edge shift to set up a grandstand finish. Shenae Ciesiolka finished it off to score in the corner in her 50th game. The sideline conversion is unsuccessful so the margin is eight with just under three minutes to play. Sharks 16 - Dragons 8.

67th minute: We've got a Dragons Captain's Challenge after they were ruled to have knocked it on from the ensuing scrum. Replays show there was no knock on, with Kasey Reh able to scoop the ball up and the Dragons retain possession. Sharks 16 - Dragons 4. 

66th minute: We've got a Captain's Challenge after the Sharks were ruled to have knocked the ball on. Georgia Ravics was running back in an attempt to gather the loose ball. She initially knocked it back but then knocked it forward. It's an unsuccessful challenge and a Dragons scrum on halfway. Sharks 16 - Dragons 4. 

60th minute: The game has opened up in the past few minutes, with both sides moving the ball around and finding space to attack. Cronulla have come close to scoring a couple but the Dragons have scrambled well to stay in the contest. Sharks 16 - Dragons 4. 

53rd minute: The Dragons comeback bid has been dealt with Tyra Ekepati sent to the sin bin for a high shot. The penalty gives Cronulla another chance to extend their lead. Sharks 16 - Dragons 4.

48th minute: The loss of Georgia Hannaway hasn't slowed the Sharks, who have crashed over for their third try. There was no stopping Ellie Johnston who charged past the Dragons defence to score between the posts. Sharks 16 - Dragons 4. 

46th minute: A blow for the Sharks now with Georgia Hannaway limping from the field with a knee injury. The utility has provided Cronulla a spark since being injected into the contest midway through the first half. Starting hooker Quincy Dodd is back on in her place. Sharks 10 - Dragons 4.

45th minute: An important defensive stop from the Dragons after an error off the kick-off handed the Sharks another attacking set. Cronulla came close to a third try but Jacinta Carter was held up over the line on the last tackle. Sharks 10 - Dragons 4.

44th minute: Cronulla have dominated the opening exchanges of this half and they have scored their second. Georgia Hannaway spotted some space from dummy half, threw a dummy and dived over the line for the try. Sharks 10 - Dragons 4.

38th minute: The Sharks have started the second half exactly as planned with China Polata burst through the Dragons defensive line before swerving past Teagan Berry to score the try. Chantay Kiria-Ratu has nailed the conversion from out wide and Cronulla have hit the front. Sharks 6 - Dragons 4. 

Kick-off: We are back for the second half, with this match hanging in the balance. Just four points separate the two teams and Cronulla will be out to strike early to level the scores. St George Illawarra defended superbly in the first half and they'll be eager to repeat that effort in the second. Sharks 0 - Dragons 4.

Half-time: Cronulla have successfully defended their line to deny the Dragons a second try and keep the margin at four. The Sharks had plenty of chances but their goal-line attack was clunky in the face of relentless St George Illawarra defence. This match is evenly poised as we head into the break. Sharks 0 - Dragons 4. 

34th minute: We're going back to the Bunker as they Dragons chase a try before the half-time break. Kasey Reh put the ball on the toe but Sharks fullback Jada Taylor won the race to the ball and grounded it to force a dropout. Sharks 0 - Dragons 4. 

28th minute: St George Illawarra continue to scramble desperately to deny the Sharks. Caitlin Johnston-Green put Cronulla on the front foot and the Sharks played some adlib football but they couldn't find a path to the try line. Sharks 0 - Dragons 4. 

23rd minute: We're off to the Bunker with the Dragons claiming a second try in quick succession. Ella Koster went up to catch a bomb, came down with the ball but had it knocked out of her grasp as she attempted to ground it for the try. Sharks breathe a big sigh of relief. Sharks 0 - Dragons 4.

21st minute: The Dragons have capitalised on the opportunity, Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis carrying multiple defenders over the line before spinning in the tackle and grounding the ball. There was not much happening but the prop had too much strength and kept the legs pumping until she was over the line. Sharks 0 - Dragons 4.

18th minute: Cronulla have spent much of the first half in attacking territory but they haven't been able to find a way through the Dragons defensive line. St George Illawarra now forced an error and will have a chance of their own to attack. Sharks 0 - Dragons 0. 

11th minute: The Dragons continue to successfully defend their own line and they've now received a chance to work into attacking territory after Cronulla were penalised being in front of the kicker. Sharks 0 - Dragons 0. 

6th minute: The Sharks have had the better of the opening few minutes and have generated a couple of attacking opportunities but they haven't been able to break through. The Dragons have defended their line well and will now look to work their way out of their own half. Sharks 0 - Dragons 0.

Kick-off: We are underway at Allianz Stadium, with the Sharks looking to build on last week's win over the Warriors. The Dragons suffered a tight loss to the Broncos and they're looking to end their season on a high. The match will feature a new innovation, with a smaller ball being trialled. Sharks 0 - Dragons 0

Late Mail

Sharks: Georgia Ravics returns from a calf injury on the wing, having last played in Round 6. This pushes rookie Marewakiterangi Samson from the line-up. No other changes as the Sharks look to add to last week's win over the Warriors and finish on a high note. Tegan Dymock is 18th player.

Dragons: An unchanged line-up for the Red V, Nita Maynard-Perrin named as 18th player in place of Jayme Millard. Taliah Fuimaono won't make her return from a shoulder injury after dropping out in Friday's 24-hour update along with Lavinia Kitai and Sara Sautia.

Eels v Cowboys at CommBank Stadium

Press Conferences

Full-time: The Eels have claimed a thrilling five-point victory over the Cowboys. North Queensland had one last chance to hit back and found space down the right flank but the pass did not go to hand and Parramatta finish their season with a win. After trailing 22-6 early in the second half, the Eels fought their way back into the contest before Rachael Pearson put her side up by one with a field goal and Rory Owen sealed the deal with a long-range try. Eels 33 - Cowboys 28.

69th minute: Parramatta are one step closer to a stunning comeback victory. The Cowboys made a break and had a chance to level the scores but Rory Owen plucked a kick out of the air, broke a couple of tackles and ran 90 metres to extend her side's lead. Eels 33 - Cowboys 28.

67th minute: Rachael Pearson was the hero with the boot last week and she's kicked her side into the lead again today. With Parramatta on the attack, the halfback took an early shot at a field goal and made no mistake from straight in front. Eels 29 - Cowboys 28.

65th minute: The Eels have defended their line yet again and we have another stoppage with Jasmine Peters leaving the field for an HIA. The Eels will look to attack the channel she normally defends in. 

64th minute: Big defensive stand from the Eels to ensure we remain locked up. A miscommunication from the back three saw Parramatta let a bomb hit the deck and North Queensland capitalised from a repeat set of six. The Cowboys pushed hard but couldn't break through for the go-ahead try. Eels 28 - Cowboys 28.

61st minute: The Eels won't go down without a fight and they have immediately struck back. Taneka Todhunter identified the retreating defence to put Abbi Church through a hole, Keilee Joseph was there in support and raced away to score her second try of the day. We are all locked up with nine minutes to play. Eels 28 - Cowboys 28.

58th minute: The Cowboys are back in front after turning defence into attack. An Abbi Church break had the Eels threatening the North Queensland line but a Mahalia Murphy intercept saw Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell run 70 metres before being dragged down. The Cowboys continued to threaten and Nadia Windleborn eventually burrowed over from dummy half to give her side the lead. Eels 22 - Cowboys 28.

53rd minute: Parramatta have scored three tries in eight minutes and we are all locked up. A Cowboys error from the kick-off handed the Eels possession and there was no stopping Keilee Joseph who had the footwork to step past a few defenders through the middle of the field and fought through the tackles to get the ball down. Eels 22 - Cowboys 22.

49th minute: We have a ball game on our hands. Parramatta have sent much of their attack today to the left but this time they shift to the right and they immediately break through. Jasmin Morrissey had plenty of work left to do but got on the outside of her defender and had too much speed and powerful to be denied. Rachael Pearson nails the sideline conversion and the margin is six. In more positive news for the hosts, fullback Abbi Church is back on the field after passing her HIA. Eels 16 - Cowboys 22. 

47th minute: The Eels have lodged a Captain's Challenge after Rory Owen was ruled to have lost the ball in a tackle. The centre argued it was a strip and the Bunker agrees, awarding Parramatta a penalty. It's a big moment, with the Eels hot on the attack and pushing to cut the deficit. Eels 10 - Cowboys 22.

44th minute: They're down a player but the Eels are not going away, with Zali Fay finishing off a superb long-range try. Rory Owen burst through the line at midfield, breaking multiple tackles before offloading to Layne Morgan. The hooker had quick hands to Fay, who crossed in the corner. Eels 10 - Cowboys 22.

42nd minute: The Cowboys have their fourth, Makenzie Weale splitting the Eels apart through the middle and there was no stopping her on a powerful charge to the line. North Queensland have not skipped a beat so far in the second half and they're reaping the rewards on the scoreboard. After the try, Parramatta's quest was dealt another blow with Kennedy Cherrington sent to the sin bin for a hip-drop tackle a couple of minutes ago. Eels 6 - Cowboys 22.

38th minute: It's been a dream start for the Cowboys, who rolled down the field with a dominant opening set of six. A towering Rosie Kelly bomb drew an Eels error and the visitors capitalised on the fresh set of six. Alisha Foord threw a dummy and darted from the base of the ruck to score the try. Parramatta's comeback bid has also been dealt a blow with Abbi Church taken from the field for an HIA after a head clash in the scramble to deny Foord. Eels 6 - Cowboys 16.

Kick-off: We are back for the second half and there are just 35 minutes left in the season for each of these sides. Both teams will leave everything out on the field, with Parramatta looking to strike first and reclaim the lead. North Queensland had plenty of opportunities in the first half and are out to turn their chances into points in the second. Eels 6 - Cowboys 10.

Half-time: That is time on a hard-fought half of football, with North Queensland taking a four-point lead into the break. Both sides had plenty of attacking opportunities but we saw some desperate scrambling defence to keep the points low. The Cowboys faced plenty of adversity, with Charlize Lloyd-Phillips suffering a suspected ACL tear while scoring in the opening minutes. Lydia Turua-Quedley and Lily Dick then left the field for HIAs after a head clash but the pair were given the all clear and returned in the final minutes of the half. Eels 6 - Cowboys 10.

33rd minute: We're off to the Bunker after Margot Vella came agonisingly close to scoring in the corner. The Cowboys winger was tripped by Freedom Crichton Ropati and fell towards the line as Rachael Pearson came across in cover. The Eels halfback somehow managed to stop Vella centimetres short of the line and it's no try. Eels 6 - Cowboys 10. 

30th minute: Freedom Crichton Ropati looks to have a spectacular try on debut but the Bunker has stepped in. Rachael Pearson put up a cross-field kick, Crichton Ropati soared through the air to make the catch but dropped the ball as she fell to the ground and attempted to ground it. Eels 6 - Cowboys 10.

28th minute: We've got a Captain's Challenge from the Cowboys after a deflected kick was ruled to be not played at. North Queensland regathered the ball and were hoping for a set restart but replays show the Eels did not play at the ball and the challenge is unsuccessful. Eels 6 - Cowboys 10.

21st minute: North Queensland have multiple players out of position but they haven't skipped a beat, with a perfect Rosie Kelly bomb forcing an error. Ashley Marsters quickly capitalised, the prop crashing over from close range to put her side on top. Eels 6 - Cowboys 10.

19th minute: The hits keep coming for North Queensland after teammates Lily Dick and Lydia Turua-Quedley had a head clash while making a tackle. Both players suffered cuts and received treatment on the field before it was ruled they will need to go for an HIA. With Charlize Lloyd-Phillips already out for the match, the Cowboys currently have just one player on the bench. Eels 6 - Cowboys 4.

12th minute: Disappointing news for Cowboys winger Charlize Lloyd-Phillips who has been ruled out for the match with a suspected ACL tear. The youngster suffered the injury while scoring her side's first try and she now faces a lengthy recovery process. In more positive news, a Zali Fay error has handed North Queensland an attacking set of six. Eels 6 - Cowboys 4.

8th minute: The kick-off rule changes are being trialled in today's match and the Eels have quickly benefited from the option of receiving the ball after the Cowboys try. The hosts received a penalty in the ensuing set and Keilee Joseph put the side in attacking territory with a powerful carry. The left edge did the rest, Rory Owen scoring in the corner. Eels 6 - Cowboys 4.

5th minute: Parramatta burst out of the gates but it's North Queensland who strike first. A penalty inside their own half handed the visitors a chance to work into attacking field position and they quickly capitalised. Essay Banu came close on one play before Charlize Lloyd-Phillips finished it off on the corner on the next tackle. The winger has picked up a leg injury in the process of scoring and will leave the field. Eels 0 - Cowboys 4. 

Kick-off: We are underway at CommBank Stadium, with the Eels looking to continue a late season resurgence and build on last week's one-point win over the Raiders. North Queensland have also endured a tough year but they still have plenty to play for in their final game of the season. It's a good start for the hosts, who receive a penalty for a strip from the opening tackle of the game. Eels 0 - Cowboys 0.

Late Mail

Eels: Parramatta will line up 1-17 at CommBank Stadium, with no late changes to the side. Winger Martha Mataele is out after suffering a head knock in Sunday 's win over the Raiders. Freedom Crichton Ropati comes in for her debut. Other changes see Taneka Todhunter come on to the bench, shifting Rueben Cherrington to 18th player.

Cowboys: North Queensland have also locked in their 17, with no late changes for their final game of the season. Jasmine Peters returns to the centres after sitting out last week's loss to the Roosters with concussion. Her return sees Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell move back into the second row, with Kayla Henderson dropping out of the squad. Tayla Curtis also drops out with the return via the bench of Tafao Asaua who missed last week with suspension.