LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
NRL finals week 2 is upon us, with the Cronulla Sharks set to take on the North Queensland Cowboys.
Can the Sharks turn their recent finals misfortunes around, or will the Cowboys once again prove too strong? In this epic battle, MATTY JOHNS delves into the key factors that will determine the outcome.
The Cowboys are riding high after a victory over Kalyn Ponga and the Knights in the previous elimination final, while the Sharks are looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Melbourne.
Can Cronulla overcome their finals demons, or will North Queensland come out guns blazing and show them the door? MATTY JOHNS dissects where the game will be won and lost.
In the last clash, the Cowboys showed that they thrive in an attacking, high-scoring game.
To counter this, the Sharks must control possession and dictate the pace of the match.
The Cowboys excel in spreading the ball wide and unleashing their powerful back-rowers, so shutting down their edge play will be crucial.
Key players like Scott Drinkwater and Tom Dearden must be contained, but their effectiveness is heavily reliant on the dominant performances of the Cowboys' forwards like Jordan McLean and Jason Taumalolo.
The Sharks must nullify their impact, along with rising star Reuben Cotter, to have a chance at victory.
In this thrilling showdown, the Sharks must dig deep, show grit, and play with passion to overcome the Cowboys' onslaught.
It's a clash of titans, a battle for supremacy, and only the strongest will survive.
Let the games begin!