Cronulla were forced to abandon their beloved Shark Park and head into Moore Park for an elimination final against the Cowboys.
But the home ground advantage – or disadvantage – mattered little as the Sharks advanced to the second week of the finals with a clinical 26-16 win.
Nicho Hynes celebrates a try. Getty Images
The Mole rates every player’s performance below.
Cronulla Sharks
1. Will Kennedy
Underrated fullback continues to shine for the Sharks, setting up one try and scoring another. Rating: 7.5
2. Sione Katoa
Overcame an early HIA to score his 100th try for Cronulla, becoming the fourth player to do so. Then added another for good measure with an intercept in the second half. Rating: 7.5
3. Riley Jones
A fair job in his first final although he did bomb a try with a loose pass early in the second half. Rating: 6
4. KL Iro
Hard running centre had some big moments, testing the Cowboys’ defence out wide. Unlucky to have a try taken off him by the bunker. Rating: 7
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
Brought his customary energy and enthusiasm to the table but marred his game by letting his opposite Burns score for the Cowboys. Rating: 6.5
6. Braydon Trindall
Maintained his fine season for the Sharks despite a shoulder injury, marshalling the team in attack, kicking well and putting Kennedy over for a vital try in the second half. Rating: 8.5
Playing on virtually one arm, Braydon Trindall was brilliant against the Cowboys. NRL Imagery/Brett Costello
7. Nicho Hynes
Much-criticised halfback sealed the Sharks’ win with a brilliant play on last tackle, shaping to kick and then charging through the defence to score. Rating: 8
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
Denied an early try by the bunker but kept taking the ball forward and making the hard yards. Rating: 8
9. Blayke Brailey
Steered the team around the park well with his intelligent ball distribution from dummy-half. Rating: 7.5
Blake Brailey is tackled by the Cowboys on Saturday night. Getty Images
10. Jesse Colquhoun
Did his job with 130 run metres up the middle and some big effort plays when his team needed them. Rating: 7
11. Briton Nikora
Kept quiet by the defence with just six runs for 36 metres but showed his class with a fine try assist for Talakai. Rating: 6.5
12. Teig Wilton
Playing his best football in 2026 and was never far off the ball, topping the tackle count – will be in hot demand come November. Rating: 7
13. Cameron McInnes
The veteran hardman had a strong game, holding up the middle in defence and leading the forwards well. Rating: 7
14. Siosifa Talakai
Replaced Katoa (HIA) early on and made an immediate impact with a fine try from one of his trademark bursts. Rating: 7.5
Siosifa Talakai scores a try. Getty Images
15. Billy Burns
Played just under half the game from the bench and brought plenty of enthusiasm to the field with him. Rating: 6
16. Oregon Kaufusi
Only got 15 minutes of game time, making only four runs but some bruising tackles. Rating: 4
17. Thomas Hazelton
A real ball of energy off the bench, he took a power of stopping with every run he made Rating: 7
North Queensland Cowboys
Scott Drinkwater reacts after the Cowboys loss. NRL Photos / Brett Costello
1. Scott Drinkwater
Rocks and diamonds, as he has been for much of his career in his final game as a Cowboy. Made four errors, set up a wonderful try for Burns, before gifting a costly intercept try for Katoa. Rating: 7
2. Braidon Burns
Made more run metres than any player from either side and scored his team’s first try. Rating: 7.5
3. Jaxon Purdue
Kept quiet by the Sharks for most of the game but showed his class with a slick late solo try. Rating: 6.5
4. Tom Chester
Showed patches of pace and class but didn’t get enough clean ball to make a real impact. Rating: 6
5. Zac Laybutt
Had few chances with the Sharks dominating field position but nailed the one chance that came his way via a glorious Dearden pass. Rating: 5
6. Jake Clifford
After a good season, was very quiet with just four runs and no try assists or line breaks. Rating: 5
Jake Clifford after full-time. Getty Images
7. Tom Dearden
Tried hard to rally his troops, with a Wally Lewis-like 30 metre pass to put Laybutt over for a try the highlight of his night. Rating: 7
8. Griffin Neame
Solid up the middle in defence but couldn’t;t make an impression on the well drilled Sharks defence. Rating: 5
9. Reed Mahoney
Gave his all, coming up with a big play to deny the much bigger Fonua-Blake a try with a desperation tackle and never far from the action. Rating: 7
10. Jason Taumalolo
The veteran took the fight to the Sharks up the middle but got little support from the rest of his pack. Rating: 7
Jason Taumalolo. Getty Images
11. Heilum Luki
Another Cowboy who was below his best in the pressure cooker sudden death atmosphere, finding it hard to get into the game. Rating: 5
15. John Bateman
Justified his late inclusion into the starting side with an aggressive defensive game and some strong runs. Rating: 6.5
13. Reuben Cotter
Busy as always for the full 80 minutes, topping the tackle count and doing plenty of the hard stuff taking the ball forward. Rating: 7
12. Jeremiah Nanai
Tried to get into the game in his 56 minutes off the bench but had little impact for a player of his class. Rating: 5
14. Soni Luke
A crafty player out of dummy half, he added some finesse to the Cowboys’ attack when given his opportunity off the bench. Rating: 5.5
17. Coen Hess
Luckless big man had a short night due to a category one HIA. Rating: 2
21. Sam McIntyre
Got a late cameo but the game was won and lost by that stage. Rating: 3