Qualifying Final 2022 - Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys, Saturday 10 September 7:50pm @ Pointsbet Stadium

[Shortfin Mako]

Alot of cocky Cowboy fans over in their forum. Apparently don't rate us ?

This sort of ignorance astounds me, we came second, we've lost one game at home all year. We finished above you on the ladder. Guess that's redneck QLDers for you.

In saying that I am loving the attention we're not getting. Pretty much written off by everyone.

Who cares what they think or say? Our boys will do the talking on Saturday.

 

[Mr Ryan]

Hopefully Chad puts in another big semi final performance this Saturday night

 

[Pishposh46]

View attachment 27661View attachment 27662
Hopefully Chad puts in another big semi final performance this Saturday night

As long as Cows don't improve and win with him off the field.

 

[Gumby]

We'll ll score more points?

We’ll win the penalty count I meant

 

[apezza]

To keep it simple - If we have better completion rate than Cowboys we will win.

 

[MrDravid]

Alot of cocky Cowboy fans over in their forum. Apparently don't rate us ?

This sort of ignorance astounds me, we came second, we've lost one game at home all year. We finished above you on the ladder. Guess that's redneck QLDers for you.

In saying that I am loving the attention we're not getting. Pretty much written off by everyone.

I reckon most neutrals would consider us and the Cows the weakest semi. They'll expect one of us to go out in the prelim and one to go out in straight sets.

 

[apezza]

To keep it simple - If we have better completion rate than Cowboys we will win.

Apart from when we lost to Melbourne, all our losses have had a lower completion rates than opposition and under 80%.

Melbourne was down to Munster having a blinder.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

Apart from when we lost to Melbourne, all our losses have had a lower completion rates than opposition and under 80%.

Melbourne was down to Munster having a blinder.

Yeah, we do not seem to be completing much but when we go to the other end we make it count. I do not have any stats to back this up but it feels like our try to spending time at the opposition 20 ratio is very high.

Even last week, it was all Knight at one point but the one time we managed to get to their end, we scored.

 

[bort]

Yeah, we do not seem to be completing much but when we go to the other end we make it count. I do not have any stats to back this up but it feels like our try to spending time at the opposition 20 ration is very high.

Even last week, it was all Knight at one point but the one time we managed to get to their end, we scored.

We have the 5th most tackles in the opposition 20 (29.6 per game) but are 7th for points, so presumably not a top threat attacking the line, but we give ourselves enough chances to get it done.

Top 8 points scored (p) vs tackles in opposition 20 (t) = points per tackle in opp20
Storm 27.4p 26.4t = 1.04
Panthers 26.5p 34.5t = 0.77
Roosters 26.5p 28.7t = 0.92
Cowboys 26.4p 29.2t = 0.90
Eels 25.3p 29.7t = 0.85
Rabbitohs 25.2p 32.5t = 0.78
Sharks 23.9p 29.6t = 0.81
Raiders 21.8p 30t = 0.73

Storm actually score more points than they have tackles in the opposition 20 so their offence is insane.
On the dodgy maths above we sit 5th, Panthers actually the second worst out of top 8 at scoring per tackle in opp20 - but by sheer volume they get the job done.

This would be skewed by longer range tries - one line break and score from outside opp20 could add 6 points and 0 tackles within opposition 20 so while an indication of good attack not actually that clear about the scoring rate from inside opp20

 

[Sevshark]

I'm clinging to the following things happening:

• Our error rate drops significantly
• The Dale factor clicks in
• Talakai, Rudolf and Kennedy are 100% fit
• Nicho brings his A game

I see the dangers from the Cowboys as follows:

• Drinkwater - need to limit his space and time on the ball.
• Val and Chad - the atmosphere will not worry them. Belt Chad as often as possible.
• JT - trying to contain his barnstorming runs
• Cotter - one of the players of the year, very hard runner and very hard to stop

Really hoping we can get the win - as others have said, if we drop this game, there is a real chance we go out the back door.

Also If Wade could visit a hypnotist who convinces him the oppostion halfback in his next 3 games is Cooper Cronk than that would be greatly appreciated

 

[HaroldBishop]

Also If Wade could visit a hypnotist who convinces him the oppostion halfback in his next 3 games is Cooper Cronk than that would be greatly appreciated

Don't know why he's stopped doing that, used to be a given with him.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

We have the 5th most tackles in the opposition 20 (29.6 per game) but are 7th for points, so presumably not a top threat attacking the line, but we give ourselves enough chances to get it done.

Top 8 points scored (p) vs tackles in opposition 20 (t) = points per tackle in opp20
Storm 27.4p 26.4t = 1.04
Panthers 26.5p 34.5t = 0.77
Roosters 26.5p 28.7t = 0.92
Cowboys 26.4p 29.2t = 0.90
Eels 25.3p 29.7t = 0.85
Rabbitohs 25.2p 32.5t = 0.78
Sharks 23.9p 29.6t = 0.81
Raiders 21.8p 30t = 0.73

Storm actually score more points than they have tackles in the opposition 20 so their offence is insane.
On the dodgy maths above we sit 5th, Panthers actually the second worst out of top 8 at scoring per tackle in opp20 - but by sheer volume they get the job done.

This would be skewed by longer range tries - one line break and score from outside opp20 could add 6 points and 0 tackles within opposition 20 so while an indication of good attack not actually that clear about the scoring rate from inside opp20

Thanks @bort.

How about when we do not get tackled in the opposition 20? What I mean is, we are attacking - it is 3rd or 4th tackle and we are about 25-30m range. Then we do this quick passing from side to side, Kennedy inserts himself and bam, try on the edge. In this scenario we never got tackled in the 20 yet we scored and it could be the very first time we are in the opposition end.

What I described above seemed to happen more often before the first Manly game. Lately we seem to be scoring more in the middle. Then again, just my observations...

 

[Sir Chadley]

Don't know why he's stopped doing that, used to be a given with him.

It's harder now when using the zimmer frame.

 

[Milkshark]

From cowboys forums:

I do believe we are better than the Sharks so am confident we can come away with the win if we play close to our potential. Their soft run in should hopefully have them underprepared for the finals. Aside from the Raiders, I believe the Sharks are probably the easiest matchup available to us of all the teams in the top 8. Hynes doesn't like pressure so we need to smother him and limit his time.

 

[apezza]

It's harder now when using the zimmer frame.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

From cowboys forums:

I do believe we are better than the Sharks so am confident we can come away with the win if we play close to our potential. Their soft run in should hopefully have them underprepared for the finals. Aside from the Raiders, I believe the Sharks are probably the easiest matchup available to us of all the teams in the top 8. Hynes doesn't like pressure so we need to smother him and limit his time.

Funny to speak of a soft run when you played your last game against a reserve grade

 

[Gards]

Tbf in regards to the Cows fans I think alot of Sharks fans don't rate the Cowboys all that much either - seems both sets of fans are happy that this is the matchup for this weekend instead of playing an alternative opposition in the top 8

The dumbest comment on their forum though was that the Sharks don't offer much attacking shape.

Lol that is something we have done very well most of the year and even if it's gotten a bit clunky lately and/or we have gone away from it a bit we are finding other ways to exploit teams around the ruck and up the middle with our big boys and short pass / decoy plays and we have Nicho and Mozza putting in stabbing kicks behind the line + other things we are trying

That same fan thought we would have trouble cracking the Cowboys defense but I think we will be good enough to put 3-4 trys (more on the cards as well) on them and we know our defense is capable these days to limit what gets scored on us

In past seasons I would have been hesitant to say playing at Shark Park was a clear advantage or the best option as we seemed to choke up alot in front of the home fans and put in some nervous uninspired stinkers and dropped a number of our games there, instead seeming to prefer putting in better performances away on the road - different story this year obviously

The sheer fact alone that we won't be playing this at Country Bumpkin Stadium is an advantage in itself even ignoring the fact it's being played at Shark Park. Could you imagine all those packed out XXXX induced frothy rednecks hurling all sorts of jeers and abuse at the refs and Sharks players - fmd. It's a good stadium they have and all and I'm sure the atmosphere is good but I am relieved we arn't playing there - I think they would win that game, it's a bigger advantage for them then us playing in Sydney is IMO even if Cows haven't always fared that well down South

Hard to make a call on how this game will play out - both teams are very strong attack and defensively on their day and have good balance across their 17. Teams are very close on alot of statistics

Is the Sharks last few weeks of bumbling about a real representation of where we are at or has Fitz just got us cruizing into the finals where we will put all our effort, intensity and concentration and really step it up? Easier to fire up and be motivated for a big game against a top 4 side opposed to the relatively in comparison training runs of playing the Dogs and Knights.

I am not underestimating the Cows at all they will be up for this and will win if we only play @ 75% of our ability and if we were to have one of those random games (fortunately much more rare these days) where we don't turn up and have our heads on they will put a score on us

Nicho seems to have figured out the trick to kicking at Shark Park and it might come down to goal conversions. Holmes wasn't goal kicking much at Shark Park back in his Cronulla days when we had Gordon & Maloney (maybe at training, not much in games)

Robson and Drinkwater we need to be very careful of, heck even Dearden
I would say we need to shut down Chad's talking game but we all know it's next to impossible to shut that bloke up on the field

I will make an optimistic prediction of Sharks 24 Cowboys 20 but would love to win in a big romp (hard to see it happening but possible)

Should be a cracker of a game - Neutral fans tuning in might be pleasantly suprised and entertained

 

[Pishposh46]

Funny to speak of a soft run when you played your last game against a reserve grade

also I think they've hardly left Queensland all year.

 

[Milkshark]

Both teams have had the easiest runs this year. It’s a pretty even matchup.

Whoever’s halves dominate will win.

Hynes first test as a 7 in the semis vs the experienced Chad.

 

[MrDravid]

Funny to speak of a soft run when you played your last game against a reserve grade

To be fair they have had a harder recent run then us... but then again, they have lost 2 of their last 4 (and both "harder" games)