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A big game to kick off Round 25 in the NRL on Thursday night, with the Cowboys hosting the Sharks in Townsville. The Sharks have won two in a row, and seem to have got their mojo back, and it will be a good litmus test to see where both teams are heading towards the finals. A loss for the Cowboys will really hurt their chances to make the finals, while a loss to the Sharks all but kills their top 4 aspirations.

Draftstars has a $15,000 guaranteed contest for the Cowboys and Sharks, with several other contests available, there’s something for everyone, so get involved and make this game even more exciting!

Team News

The Cowboys are off the bye in Round 24, however they will welcome back star backrower Jeremiah Nanai in the starting side, with Coen Hess dropping to the bench, and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown back to the reserves. No other changes expected for the Cowboys.

As for the Sharks, they have just the one change, with Thomas Hazleton returning from a head knock, relegating Jesse Colquhoun to the reserves.

Betting Markets

North Queensland Cowboys ($1.56) vs Cronulla Sharks ($2.38)

Total O/U – 47.5 points

Overview

Just a couple of weeks ago, this game would have been looked at as an easy Cowboys win, however with the reverse in form of both teams, this should be a fascinating clash. I don’t know how much stock to take out of the Sharks win over the Rabbitohs, given the lack of form from Souths lately. Similarly, their demolition of the Titans last week doesn’t make me forget the Sharks’ poor form for the better part of two months prior to the win over the Rabbitohs. With the Cowboys’ season potentially on the line, and the fact they got a much-needed bye to recover, I like the Cowboys to get the job done here.

Love It – Ronaldo Mulitalo - $11,860

Mulitalo had a double last time out against the Cowboys, and with some uncertainty as to who will line up against Mulitalo for the Cowboys, I like the left side of the Sharks to do well here. I don’t mind Talakai, and will stack them in some of my teams, however I’ll take Mulitalo here as the slightly better value. With 18 tries in 19 games, he’s always a great chance at a try or two.

Love It – Reece Robson - $15,500

This is both a little bit of a fade on Nicho Hynes, and a bit of a value play in the HH role to upgrade elsewhere. Hynes has taken a bit of a back seat at times to Braydon Trindall in attack, and whilst there’s no doubt Hynes will be the highest scorer in this game quite a lot, I like the upside of Robson for a near $10k saving. Robson has been a little lacklustre since the State of Origin series, however after having a week of for the bye, I expect the hooker to come out firing in this one.

Love It – Cameron McInnes - $21,290

This is another major reason why I want to save money on the HH position, with Cam McInnes killing it lately since taking over at starting lock. McInnes is a classic box score stuffer, and can get you points no matter the game state. Playing 60-80 minutes in the middle is almost a guaranteed 60-80 score for McInnes, and whilst he lacks the overall ceiling of a Hynes, his median score is probably quite comparable with the Sharks halfback, and for a $3,700 discount, I’ll take it.

Hate It – Chad Townsend - $16,430

Townsend has a decent floor, but he lacks the upside to even consider the Cowboys halfback here. With a highest score of 62, and a season average of 46.6, you know what you’re going to get with Townsend, and unfortunately that’s someone who’s not going to help you win a contest.

Hate It – Jeremiah Nanai - $15,240

Nanai is coming back from 4 weeks out with a shoulder injury, and whilst the Cowboys backrower has tremendous upside, there’s a decent chance he doesn’t play 80 minutes here, and the Cowboys look to ease him back in. Not a workhorse by any means, Nanai isn’t going to get you that solid baseline score you’d like out of a forward, however is definitely a player to look at moving into the finals.

Who Knows – Sione Katoa - $13,260

Katoa is always an option in DFS contests, given his uncanny ability to score tries in bunches. It seems that every time Katoa scores a try in a game, you can pencil him in for another at some point during the game. The problem is Katoa’s floor, with a low score of 6.7 this season, Katoa has the ability to completely ruin your squad. Rocks and diamonds is an apt way to describe the Sharks winger.

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