The North Queensland Cowboys will benefit from a big home-field advantage when they host the Sharks in the opening week of the NRLW finals series.
The Cowboys fell to fourth with a loss to Brisbane last week, but they had done enough work earlier in the year to secure a home final at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
North Queensland won three of five games in Townsville this season and will take plenty of confidence from a road victory over Cronulla at Sharks Stadium in Round 3.
Krystal Blackwell starred on that occasion, with the Cowboys outside backs laying the foundation for their recent success.
The return of playmaker Kirra Dibb has also provided a major boost and she will look to lead her side past last year’s grand finalists.
The Sharks have been battered by injuries throughout the campaign and enter the finals on the back of a two-game losing streak.
They have, however, shown they are among the competition’s elite teams on their day and will travel north looking to plot an upset.
Team News
Cowboys: Just one change for the Cowboys on game day and it’s a familiar one, with Essay Banu coming into the starting side. China Polata shifts to the interchange as a result. Star fullback Jakiya Whitfeld will play her first game since suffering a shoulder injury in Round 9. The Jillaroo’s return will see Krystal Blackwell shift to the wing. Tahlulah Tillett is set to return to the starting side in No.7 after coach Ricky Henry made a bold call to change his halves just days out from the must-win clash. “It has been a fierce competition with the three halves and they have all put their hand up at certain times of the year but we felt this was the best combination coming into the semi-final,” Henry said. Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell is the 18th player.
Sharks:Rhiannon Byers is set to complete her comeback from a back injury and has been named on the bench for Saturday’s clash in Townsville. Winger Georgia Ravics (knee) is also on track to return after she was a late scratching last week. Halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu is set to battle through a knee injury suffered in Round 11 and take her place in the team. Cronulla will line up 1-17, with Nakia Davis-Welsh the 18th player.
Stat Attack
The Cowboys have conceded 94 points in their last three games.
Sharks winger Cassie Staples has scored three tries in two games against the Cowboys.
The Cowboys have only one third of the finals experience of the Sharks’ line-up.
Sharks captain Tiana Penitani Gray has scored three tries in two finals matches for the club.
Cowboys fullback Jakiya Whitfeld has scored six tries in nine games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.