Cronulla Sharks eliminate North Queensland Cowboys from the NRL finals series

The Cronulla Sharks secured a win against the North Queensland Cowboys in their elimination final, keeping their season alive. Braydon Trindall returned to the starting lineup to direct the Cronulla attack, while utility player Siosifa Talakai earned man of the match honors after replacing an injured Sione Katoa. The Cowboys struggled with inconsistency throughout the match, characterized by defensive lapses and errors from Scott Drinkwater. This result ends the season for the North Queensland Cowboys, who now look toward rebuilding efforts in 2027. The Cronulla Sharks advance to a semi-final matchup against either the Penrith Panthers or the Sydney Roosters.

• 12:17 PMZero Tackle NRL — Trindall or bust, Drinkwater’s errors, Payten’s biggest challenge: NRL Finals talking points, Sharks vs Cowboys