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Cowboys v Sharks preview
North Queensland Cowboys v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
1300SMILES Stadium - Saturday 5:30pm 
Can the Cowboys Streak go to 11? Or Will the Sharks bite their way through a Thurston-less Cowboys?
Balmy Townsville is the destination for an exciting Saturday afternoon clash between two sides who have had differing fortunes so far in 2015.
The Cowboys have put together a wonderful winning streak that has seen them move all the way into the top 2. This has been on the back of some glorious play from halves Jonathan Thurston and Michael Morgan, coupled with dominant displays from their massive forward pack. They escaped the nation's capital last week with a heart stopping 21-20 win over Canberra. Jonathan Thurston broke the Raiders heart's with only 5 seconds left. This week they will have to do it without their star playmaker for has been ruled out with coach Paul Green giving him a well earned rest. Rory Kostjasyn comes into the halves and hooker Cameron King comes onto the bench. Sam Hoare also drops off the bench and Patrick Kafuisi joins the bench.
As for the Sharks, they have had a mini revival of late. They have won their past two games and picked up 6 points from a possible 6. They were red hot in the 2nd half last week, turning around a 22-12 defecit against the Knights with a 3 try spell in just 6 minutes. Jack Bird and Andrew Fifita have been shining lights in recent weeks and keep an eye on them in coming weeks if more success is going to come the way of the Sharkies. Paul Gallen has been named as 18th man in the only change for the Cronulla side. Gallen is still touch and go for Saturday's game so keep a close eye on the late mail.
The Sharks win last week propelled them up to 9th on the ladder (equal 7th on points) and if some brain explosions and poor play hadn't occurred earlier in the season then the Sharks would find themselves nestled nicely in the top 8. Coach Shane Flanagan will be continuing to drill that reminder into his charges as they continue their quest for finals football.
Last Meeting: North Queensland 20 Cronulla 19 at 1300Smiles Stadium, Round 25, 2014. The Cowboys have won 5 of the past 6 between both these clubs. The Sharks last win was their controversial 20-18 win in week 1 of the Finals in 2013 (the infamous 7th tackle try). Cronulla have a fairly good record up in Townsville having won 10 and lost 9 of their 19 matches there.
The Cowboys trail in the head to head battle 21 games to 14 to Cronulla dating back to their first clash in 1995.
Who To Watch: I believe this battle is going to be won up front in the forwards. The player that I will be looking out for in this clash is Cowboys big man James Tamou. Tamou really gave it to the Queensland forwards in State Of Origin and has been very physical so far this season. His offloading and metres per run has been laying a platform for the Cowboys backs. If North Queensland want to win on Saturday Tamou and his fellow big forwards need to get over the advantage line and try and gain domination over the Sharks big pack.
For the Sharks keep a close eye on Sharks backrower Wade Graham. Graham has been an incredible versatile player for the Sharks since moving over from Penrith in 2011. Graham ability to kick, offload and make strong charges sees him as a valuable asset in the Sharks side. Graham averages 29 tackles per game and also averages 124 metres per game, add to this his 2 try assists and 1 line break and he has been one the Sharks best in 2015.
He has developed quite a good combination with both Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes who have been revelations this season. His ability to kick on last tackle also takes the pressure off the halves and helps out the side in general. His involvement on Saturday will be very important if the Sharks are to walk away with the two points. He will have his hands full taking on the likes of James Tamou and Jason Taumalolo.
The Favorite: Cowboys start as favorite in this clash as they have the home ground advantage and also the fact they are on a 10 match winning streak.
My Tip: Going to tip the Sharkies in this clash. No Thurston for the Cowboys is a big blow for the North Queensland side, they still have a lot of quality players on the field however and will need Michael Morgan and co to be creative and step up in Thurston's absence.
This one will be won in the forwards and I think the Sharks pack especially with the return of inspirational captain Paul Gallen can get the Sharks home in this one.
Sharks by 8.
1. Lachlan Coote 2. Matthew Wright 3. Justin O'Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Rory Kostjasyn 7. Michael Morgan 8. Matthew Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. James Tamou 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Cameron King 15. John Asiata 16. Ben Hannant 17. Patrick Kaufusi 18. Robert Lui
1. Michael Gordon 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Gerard Beale 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Jack Bird 7. Jeff Robson 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Michael Ennis 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Chris Heighington
Interchange: 14. Jayson Bukuya 15. Ben Barba 16. David Fifita 17. Sam Tagataese 18. Paul Gallen
Referees: Grant Atkins, Gavin Reynolds; Sideline Officials: Michael Wise, Belinda Sleeman; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Steve Folkes;