2022 NRL Round 18 Cronulla Sutherland Sharks vs. North Queensland Cowboys @ Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, Friday 15th July 6:00pm

[Proud Shark]

Cows bench is also very light, carrying both Hampton and Granville. Plus Luciano who isn't usually a middle. I think if we start well, we could roll them through the middle third of the game.

 

[sharkgaz]

If he is, we get to -Welcome him back.

Lol....I was waiting for someone to use that line

 

[Thresher]

Don’t give a **** what he appareciates. Bloke shouldn’t even be in the run on side.

Don't tell me. Chad's the one with Fitz's email address.

 

[bort]

Cowboys team to play Sharks:​

1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Peta Hiku
5. Brendan Elliot
6. Tom Dearden
7. Chad Townsend (c)
8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
9. Reece Robson
10. Coen Hess
11. Tom Gilbert
12. Connelly Lemuelu
13. Jason Taumalolo (c)

Interchange
14. Jake Granville
15. Luciano Leilua
16. Ben Hampton
17. Griffin Neame

Reserves
18. Tom Chester
19. Emry Pere
20. Kane Bradley
21. Ben Condon
22. Riley Price

 

[egg]

Up and ready to rumble Friday

 

[Capital_Shark]

Interchange
14. Jake Granville
15. Luciano Leilua
16. Ben Hampton
17. Griffin Neame

that's light! Ought to roll that.

 

[stormshark]

I'm tipping they bring in 2 origin forwards to that bench

 

[Capital_Shark]

I'm tipping they bring in 2 origin forwards to that bench

can't they only pick from the 22 named now?

 

[Western Sharkie]

I'm guessing McInnes will give Wadeo a rest at some stage.

Although, from his little dig at Fitz during the presser, Wadeo doesn't seem to appreciate his bench time.

Hopefully Wade gives CT7 a rest for the majority of the game….

 

[Tiger Shark]

can't they only pick from the 22 named now?

That’s my understanding unless you ask the NRL. Why wouldn’t you just name them and see how they pull up?

 

[Proud Shark]

That’s my understanding unless you ask the NRL. Why wouldn’t you just name them and see how they pull up?

I thought you could name an extended squad if you had a lot in origin, then you can only pick from there unless you get an exemption.

 

[BurgoShark]

I thought you could name an extended squad if you had a lot in origin, then you can only pick from there unless you get an exemption.

Yeah - it used to be 1 extra player per origin representative, so you could effectively name every origin player plus a replacement for each of them. There was a maximum though I think (24 or 25 maybe?).

Maybe Payten just figures that in the context of an 8 month season, playing some of his best players twice in three nights isn't worth it - and he thinks the guys coming in can do the job.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

Yeah - it used to be 1 extra player per origin representative, so you could effectively name every origin player plus a replacement for each of them. There was a maximum though I think (24 or 25 maybe?).

Maybe Payten just figures that in the context of an 8 month season, playing some of his best players twice in three nights isn't worth it - and he thinks the guys coming in can do the job.

They are 2 points ahead and have a massive for/against advantage over us. Even if they lose this game, it won’t affect them much.

 

[HaroldBishop]

They are 2 points ahead and have a massive for/against advantage over us. Even if they lose this game, it won’t affect them much.

Their remaining games

Wests
Saints
Dogs
Roosters
Warriors
Bunnies
Panthers

They'd be crazy to risk anyone this week.

 

[bort]

They are 2 points ahead and have a massive for/against advantage over us. Even if they lose this game, it won’t affect them much.

Not massively no, every point we beat them by counts for double in closing that gap though so it's a good chance to get a start on it.
Won't hold my breath for a 47+ win but we really need to win by more than 20 to try and make a dent in it.

Win could help us finish in the 2 or 3 slots which dodges Finals Round 1 Panthers

Probably a 3 way fight between us, Cows and Storm for those two spots and then a three way fight between one of those sides, Broncos and Eels for the top 4 spot. We are currently disadvantaged in +/- in the fight for 2nd/3rd but advantaged in the fight for 4th

 

[Sevshark]

Not massively no, every point we beat them by counts for double in closing that gap though so it's a good chance to get a start on it.
Won't hold my breath for a 47+ win but we really need to win by more than 20 to try and make a dent in it.

Win could help us finish in the 2 or 3 slots which dodges Finals Round 1 Panthers

Probably a 3 way fight between us, Cows and Storm for those two spots and then a three way fight between one of those sides, Broncos and Eels for the top 4 spot. We are currently disadvantaged in +/- in the fight for 2nd/3rd but advantaged in the fight for 4th

I don't particularly mind playing Penrith first week of the finals because it means we can't be eliminated by them.

 

[bort]

I don't particularly mind playing Penrith first week of the finals because it means we can't be eliminated by them.

I guess that's one way of looking at it.
Don't get to generate momentum but dodge the best team again until GF.
I guess you could arguing winning 2v3 and getting a week off only does so much for momentum too.

I'm not used to being in a position where we'd get a second crack anymore haha

 

[Sevshark]

I guess that's one way of looking at it.
Don't get to generate momentum but dodge the best team again until GF.
I guess you could arguing winning 2v3 and getting a week off only does so much for momentum too.

I'm not used to being in a position where we'd get a second crack anymore haha

Don't get me wrong I'd 100% prefer we go through to the GF undefeated and with momentum.
Just see the positives with our current position as well.

 

[apezza]

I don't particularly mind playing Penrith first week of the finals because it means we can't be eliminated by them.

And you would assume it will be at Parramatta Stadium - not Penrith.

 

[HaroldBishop]

And you would assume it will be at Parramatta Stadium - not Penrith.

It will be at Penrith