Our Dragons and NRL tragic is back, with his take on the game of the week in Rd 26. Do you agree? What are you expecting from the game?
MATCH OF THE ROUND: ROUND 26 – Cronulla Sharks V North Queensland Cowboys – Sunday, Toyota Stadium. 15.00 local time, 17.00 NZ time.
LAST WEEK: Cronulla were pipped at the post by the Melbourne Storm 20-18.
It was another notch in the belt of this North Queensland side as they took a hard fought win over Newcastle Knights 22-14
THIS WEEK: The Sharks sitting sixth will take on the team one place above them on the table. A home fixture is going to play in to their hands too. This is going to be a solid challenge in the last week before finals football starts for both these sides. Cronulla have been a great story for this season and need to back that up with a good win heading in the the finals.
The Cowboys have travelled a lot better this season than years gone by, but a sold out Shark Park is never an easy place to play. Getting some key members back from injury in the back of the season has bolstered this sides run to the finals. Before they can think about that though, they need to get their heads ready for this one. Mentally this game will be a challenge.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Cronulla to show their worth and to prove they deserve to be there next week in the finals. A clean cut performance is expected to be delivered to get them on the right track before the finals. The barn-storming forwards to continue to run all day, and get the glory hogs out wide to take all the praise.
North Queensland have excellence all over the field. Pairings of brilliance to shine when needed the most. Hard work has got them this far, and it’s more of the same that will give them the recipe for success once again. This team will be a dark horse of the finals.
THE BATTLE OF: Five-Eighths! Todd Carney has had a stellar year at the Sharks and has a lot to owe the after the much publicised rubbish at the Roosters last year. He has the skills to be remembered as one of the games best, and needs to deliver this against his Origin opponent.
Johnathan Thurston has made a seamless transition from 7 to 6. The Cowboys have still had the worlds best player dictate everything for them when needed. Whether he’s racking up try assists, or scoring them himself – he is the player everyone wants to be.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Isaac De Gois – He’s played his best football this year, and he has been more physical and demanding at the ruck. De Gois is the player this club needs.
Ashton Sims – This beast of a lad just has the seek and destroy attitude when running with the ball. Dangerous. Deadly.
PREDICTION:
I can’t split this one, but I know that defence will be too strong and tries will be at a minimal. 14-10 Cronulla.
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SWT Gallagher