The end of the Cowboys' season came with a disappointing defeat against Cronulla, marked by significant errors that played a crucial role in their downfall.
Cronulla secured a 26-16 victory, largely due to the Cowboys' poor kick diffusal, which allowed the Sharks to capitalize on numerous attacking chances.
Fullback Scott Drinkwater, in his final appearance for the team, faced significant difficulties in handling high balls, recording four mistakes during the match.
Coach Todd Payten suggested that the team's issues stemmed from their own shortcomings.
"Costly night (for the back three), yep," he acknowledged.
"We were outplayed but we certainly hurt ourselves. In big games you need to defuse kicks and be clean out of your own end but we didn't do those two things."
Cowboys captain Tom Dearden expressed disappointment over the team's performance, indicating that it reflected their struggles throughout the season.
The challenges faced by the Cowboys highlight key areas for improvement as they look to regroup for the upcoming season.