Matchday Details
Friday, 24 April 2026 – 6:00pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
📺 Kayo / Foxtel
Referee: Belinda Sharpe | Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
North Queensland Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Braidon Burns, 3. Jaxon Purdue, 4. Tom Chester, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Tom Dearden (c), 8. Coen Hess, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Jason Taumalolo, 11. Heilum Luki, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Reuben Cotter, 14. Soni Luke, 15. Sam McIntyre, 16. Thomas Mikaele, 17. Griffin Neame, 18. Matthew Lodge, 19. Kai O’Donnell, 20. Zac Laybutt, 21. Kaiden Lahrs, 22. Robert Derby
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: 1. William Kennedy, 2. Mawene Hiroti, 3. Siosifa Talakai, 4. KL Iro, 5. Samuel Stonestreet, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Nicholas Hynes, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Blayke Brailey (c), 10. Toby Rudolf, 11. Billy Burns, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Jesse Colquhoun, 14. Briton Nikora, 15. Cameron McInnes, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Thomas Hazelton, 18. Hohepa Puru, 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha, 20. Riley Jones, 21. Riley Pollard, 22. Sione Katoa
Match Preview
North Queensland will look to honour their military family when they host Cronulla at QLD Country Bank Stadium, but they’re running into an opponent that’s made a habit of travelling well to Townsville. The Sharks arrive chasing another win at a venue where their recent record against the Cowboys has provided a genuine edge.
This is the kind of round‑defining fixture that can quietly swing a season. Both clubs are in the thick of the finals conversation – Cronulla sitting seventh and North Queensland 11th – and the result either stabilises a top‑eight position or keeps a chasing pack firmly in the frame. For the Cowboys, it’s also a response game. They were flat and error‑riddled against Manly last week after producing a statement win over the defending premiers Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium the round before. The Sharks, meanwhile, come off the bye with a point to prove after being run down by the Roosters in Perth, conceding 22 unanswered second‑half points in a 12‑point loss.
Before last weekend’s defeat, North Queensland had won four straight and their key men were humming – Scott Drinkwater, Jake Clifford, and recently re‑signed Jaxon Purdue all driving points and momentum. The challenge now is backing up their best football with consistency, especially at home where early control and patience matter.
Cronulla’s form line is solid but not yet sticky. They’ve won two of their last three – highlighted by an impressive 36–22 win over the Warriors in early April – but at three wins and three losses they still haven’t built the kind of rhythm that turns contenders into genuine top‑four threats.
A major boost arrives with Jeremiah Nanai returning after missing the early season following shoulder reconstruction after the Pacific Championships. Reed Mahoney and Murray Taulagi also return after missing the Manly clash under HIA protocols. Otherwise, the Cowboys’ injury list is clean – which makes discipline and execution the bigger selection story than availability.
Cronulla welcome back Cameron McInnes from an ACL injury for his first game since Round 24 last year, but they’re still without Braden Hamlin‑Uele (HIA), Jesse Ramien (due back Round 9), and Ronaldo Mulitalo (ACL).
This contest shapes as a classic “who earns the right to play” game – and it starts in the middle. Nanai’s return strengthens a Cowboys pack already powered by Jason Taumalolo, Reuben Cotter and Heilum Luki, while Soni Luke has been an important bench spark, probing around the markers to create quick space. Cronulla counter with genuine punch through Addin Fonua‑Blake, and while their back‑row trio can be underrated, their mobility matters if the ruck becomes messy.
In the halves, Tom Dearden has an Origin‑selection point to make after a quiet outing last week, while Braydon Trindall has been Cronulla’s most decisive attacking organiser early this season. The fullbacks – Drinkwater and William Kennedy – loom as the chaos creators on broken play, so field position and exit sets will be vital. If the match becomes stop‑start and the whistle stays busy, it leans toward the Sharks – especially if the Cowboys’ error count and discipline again hand away cheap possession and repeat sets.
Key individual match‑up to watch: Jaxon Purdue vs KL Iro
Purdue’s start to the year has been high‑impact, combining tries, strong yardage, and try assists. Iro offers a similar mix – tough carries, line‑break ability, and proven comfort at this venue. If either centre wins the early‑set collisions and generates fast play‑the‑balls, their side’s edge shape becomes far harder to handle.
Historical
- Cronulla’s recent trend against North Queensland is strong, including a heavy win-rate across the last few seasons.
- The Sharks’ record at QLD Country Bank Stadium has also been a separator – and they’ve consistently found points at the venue.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Sharks by 14
Bold call: Sam Stonestreet to score a double.
Related
- NRL Round 8 Predictions
- NRL Round 8 Team Lists
- NRL Round 8 Hub
- NRL Injury List
- NRL Match Review Tracker
