The official team lists are in for the Sharks vs Cowboys elimination final, and Cronulla welcome back a host of stars including Nicho Hynes, Braydon Trindall, Blayke Brailey, KL Iro and Teig Wilton. North Queensland are also strengthened by the returns of Jeremiah Nanai, Griffin Neame and Zac Laybutt, setting up a much stronger Cowboys side than the one seen in Round 27.
Biggest Winners – Sharks
Braydon Trindall
Trindall returns at five-eighth after missing two games with a shoulder injury, reuniting with Hynes for the sudden-death clash.
Our Tip: Braydon Trindall – 1+ Try Assist
Sione Katoa
Katoa needs one try to reach 100 NRL tries, giving the Sharks winger an added milestone angle in a home elimination final.
Our Tip: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
KL Iro
Iro returns at centre after being rested against Melbourne and immediately strengthens Cronulla’s left edge alongside Ronaldo Mulitalo.
Our Tip: KL Iro – Anytime Try Scorer
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Biggest Losers – Sharks
Riley Pollard
Pollard drops out after making his NRL debut against Melbourne, with Trindall returning to the No.6 jersey.
Betting Impact: Trindall becomes the much stronger Sharks playmaker option alongside Hynes.
Michael Gabrael
Gabrael also drops out as Cronulla restore their established backline, with Iro returning at centre.
Betting Impact: Iro and Mulitalo are the Sharks’ left-edge players to target.
Cowboys’ Returning Forward Pack
Cronulla’s middle faces a much tougher assignment than North Queensland presented last week, with Neame and Nanai returning alongside Taumalolo and Cotter.
Betting Impact: I’d be cautious about aggressively targeting Sharks forward run-metre overs.
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Biggest Winners – Cowboys
Jeremiah Nanai
Nanai returns from a knee injury and goes directly back into the starting second row, with John Bateman dropping to the bench. His attacking role close to the line makes him immediately relevant for punters.
Our Tip: Jeremiah Nanai – Anytime Try Scorer
Zac Laybutt
Laybutt returns from concussion and takes back his wing position from Robert Derby. With Drinkwater and Dearden creating opportunities inside him, he’s a strong Cowboys try-scorer option.
Our Tip: Zac Laybutt – Anytime Try Scorer
Reuben Cotter
Cotter is free to play after successfully earning a downgrade on his careless high tackle charge at the judiciary. He starts at lock in a huge boost to North Queensland’s middle.
Our Tip: Reuben Cotter – Over Run Metres
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Biggest Losers – Cowboys
Robert Derby
Derby makes way despite starting on the wing against Canberra, with Laybutt cleared to return from concussion.
Betting Impact: Laybutt becomes the direct beneficiary in the anytime try-scorer market.
John Bateman
Nanai’s return pushes Bateman from the starting second row onto the interchange.
Betting Impact: Avoid Bateman’s tackle and run-metre overs with his starting role gone.
Coen Hess
Hess also returns to the interchange after Neame was cleared to come back from his toe injury.
Betting Impact: His reduced role makes his individual workload markets much less appealing.
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Early Betting Verdict
Cronulla enter with the stronger recent history in this matchup, having won 14 of their past 17 games against North Queensland. However, the Cowboys have won two of their past three finals against the Sharks in Sydney, so this isn’t a matchup I’d automatically approach through the head-to-head market.
The player markets appeal more, particularly with both teams welcoming back several important attacking pieces.
Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Katoa sits one try short of his 100th NRL try and gets Hynes, Trindall and Brailey all restored to Cronulla’s spine.
Our Tip: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Jeremiah Nanai – Anytime Try Scorer
Nanai’s return is one of the biggest Cowboys team-list changes. His ability to hit holes close to the line makes him a strong higher-priced option.
Our Tip: Jeremiah Nanai – Anytime Try Scorer
Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
With Iro returning inside him and Cronulla restoring their preferred halves, Mulitalo should receive better attacking service than he did against Melbourne.
Our Tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
Jaxon Purdue – Anytime Try Scorer
Purdue retains his centre position and remains one of North Queensland’s most dangerous young attacking players.
Our Tip: Jaxon Purdue – Anytime Try Scorer
Nicho Hynes – Try Assists
Hynes returns refreshed after being rested in Round 27 and now has Trindall and Brailey back alongside him.
Our Tip: Nicho Hynes – 1+ Try Assist
Blayke Brailey – Tackles
Brailey also returns after being rested and goes straight back into the starting No.9 jersey.
Our Tip: Blayke Brailey – Over Tackles
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Best Bet From The Team Lists
Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Katoa is the Sharks player I’d target first.
He’s one try away from 100 in the NRL, while Cronulla restore Hynes, Trindall and Brailey after resting key players against Melbourne.
The Sharks have also dominated this matchup historically, winning 14 of their past 17 against North Queensland.
Our Tip: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
I’d also check Katoa 2+ Tries with Sportsbet and TAB as the higher-priced extension.
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Value Bet
Jeremiah Nanai – Anytime Try Scorer
Nanai is the standout team-list-driven value option.
He returns directly to the starting second row after missing Round 27 with a knee injury, restoring one of North Queensland’s biggest attacking threats on the edge.
If Cronulla’s attention is drawn towards Drinkwater, Dearden and the Cowboys’ outside backs, Nanai’s hole-running close to the line can be dangerous.
Our Tip: Jeremiah Nanai – Anytime Try Scorer
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Team List Betting Summary
Best Bet: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Value Bet: Jeremiah Nanai – Anytime Try Scorer
Other Sharks Try Scorer: Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
Cowboys Try Scorer: Jaxon Purdue – Anytime Try Scorer
Other Cowboys Try Scorer: Zac Laybutt – Anytime Try Scorer
Playmaker Prop: Nicho Hynes – 1+ Try Assist
Tackle Prop: Blayke Brailey – Over Tackles
Forward Prop: Reuben Cotter – Over Run Metres
Higher-Odds Play: Sione Katoa – 2+ Tries
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