Friday night footy: Broncos v Bulldogs; Cowboys beat Sharks

Full-time: Heilum Luki has put the icing on a chaotic victory over the Sharks. Cronulla were throwing the ball around in a desperate bid for points, KL Iro spilled the ball, Luki picked up the loose ball and ran 50 metres to secure a dramatic win. The try took us to 80 points for the match, marking the highest scoring game of the year. Cowboys 46 - Sharks 34.

78th minute: We are off to the Bunker with KL Iro coming within inches of scoring his fourth try of the night. Nicho Hynes kicked for Sam Stonestreet, the winger passed to Iro, who set off for the corner. The Cowboys cover defence won the race, however, with Tom Dearden ensuring Iro went into touch just before he reached the try line. Cowboys 42 - Sharks 34.

76th minute: Cronulla have got one back and maybe, just maybe, they still have a chance. Nicho Hynes was superb in the lead up, Addin Fonua-Blake produced an exceptional pass and KL Iro has a hat-trick. Eight-point game with a tick under four minutes to play. At 76 points, this is now the highest scoring game of the year. Cowboys 42 - Sharks 34.

74th minute: North Queensland are within touching distance of the two competition points now, Jason Taumalolo producing an offload to stretch the Sharks defence. Tom Dearden capitalised, getting on the outside of Braydon Trindall to surge over for the try. Cowboys 42 - Sharks 28.

72nd minute: A big defensive play by the Cowboys, with Thomas Mikaele shooting out of the line to force an error and help his side defend their line. From there Scott Drinkwater produced a 40/20 and the hosts can seal this victory now. North Queensland have lost Murray Taulagi to an HIA, the winger suffering a head knock attempting to tackle Sifa Talakai. Cowboys 36 - Sharks 28.

69th minute: The Cowboys think they have sealed this victory but the officials have spotted a forward pass and the Sharks survive. A Jason Taumalolo put the hosts on the attack and Reuben Cotter looked to have scored, however it was not to be. Cowboys 36 - Sharks 28.

67th minute: North Queensland are one step closer to victory after Soni Luke darted over from dummy half. Tom Mikaele stood in the tackle, produced a quick play the ball, the markers short up and Luke burst through for the try. Cowboys 36 - Sharks 28.

64th minute: Heart in mouth moment for both sides after Mawene Hiroti was unable to reel in a bomb. Jeremiah Nanai came up with the ball but was just dragged down short of the try line. It was the last tackle and the Sharks survive. At the other end of the field, Nicho Hynes sliced straight through, but Braydon Trindall was unable to reel in an offload and the Cowboys survive. Cowboys 30 - Sharks 28.

58th minute: KL Iro has a second and suddenly the margin is just two. Jake Clifford sent the kick off dead on the full, handing Cronulla another chance to strike. The visitors were happy to oblige, Iro charging through a gap to score the try. Cowboys 30 - Sharks 28.

55th minute: "This is Nicho Hynes' time to step up" Michael Ennis said in commentary and the Sharks halfback was clearly listening. A Cowboys error in the set after points put the visitors back on attack and Hynes produced a superb cut-out pass to send KL Iro over for the try. Hynes, however, add the extras and the deficit remains beyond a converted try. Cowboys 30 - Sharks 22.

52nd minute: Murray Taulagi has a hat-trick and the Cowboys have retaken control of this contest. North Queensland received a second penalty after the successful Captain's Challenge and their left-edge attack proved too good for the Sharks defence. Scott Drinkwater produced another superb pass and Taulagi had the finish to extend his side's lead. Cowboys 30 - Sharks 18.

50th minute: Cronulla have had the upper hand through the opening exchanges of this half and they've received another boost with Cameron McInnes injected into the contest. The substitution marks McInnes' first action since tearing his ACL in Round 24 last year. Meanwhile, we've got a Captain's Challenge from the Cowboys after Scott Drinkwater spilled a bomb. Briton Nikora clattered into the fullback before the ball arrived and North Queensland receive the penalty. It's a big shift, from a defensive set on their own line to an easy exit out of their own end. Cowboys 26 - Sharks 18.

45th minute: They couldn't score a couple of minutes ago but this time the Sharks break through. Another error by Reed Mahoney put Cronulla back on the attack, Oregon Kaufusi attracted four defenders as he charged to the line, somehow managed to produce an offload and Blayke Brailey scored a crucial try. Cowboys 26 - Sharks 18.

43rd minute: Frustration building among the Sharks after an early missed chance. A forward pass by Reed Mahoney put the visitors on the attack but Cronulla barely threatened the Cowboys defensive line. The opportunity came to an end when Briton Nikora was bundled into touch. Cowboys 26 - Sharks 12.

Kick-off: We are back for the second half, with Cronulla desperate to strike first and get back in this contest. The Cowboys were exceptional in the final 15 minutes of the first half and will be looking to pick up where they left off. Cowboys 26 - Sharks 12.

Half-time: The siren has sounded on a frenetic half of football, North Queensland running in five tries to two to take a 14-point lead into the sheds. Fullback Scott Drinkwater was in the thick of the action, scoring a try and setting up two others in a scintillating attacking display. Cronulla were impressive early but started to struggle as the fatigue built towards the end of the half. Cowboys 26 - Sharks 12.

39th minute: It didn't take the Cowboys long the capitalise, Braidon Burns leaping through the air to cap a stunning 13-minute onslaught. Scott Drinkwater attacked down the shortside, Burns had too much power for KL Iro and somehow grounded the ball before being pushed into touch. Cowboys 26 - Sharks 12.

37th minute: North Queensland will have one last chance to strike after Sifa Talakai spilled the ball in the tackle. The error came after a powerful carry, but it's the Cowboys who ultimately earn the reward. Cowboys 22 - Sharks 12.

34th minute: The fatigue of a frenetic first half is starting to weigh down on the Sharks, who have now conceded their fourth try of the contest. Tom Chester broke through from deep inside his own half to put the Cowboys on the attack and Cronulla never regrouped. Reed Mahoney eventually scored the try, darting from the base of the ruck to capitalise on some tired defenders. Cowboys 22 - Sharks 12.

28th minute: In a game like this it was only a matter of time before we had more points and it's the Cowboys who break through. Jaxon Purdue put his side on the attack with a break from inside his own half, beating multiple Sharks defenders before eventually being dragged down. The visitors couldn't get set defensively and Murray Taulagi barged his way over for his second of the night. Cowboys 16 - Sharks 12.

22nd minute: The match has settled down slightly but both teams are still having plenty of success moving up and down the field. Cowboys coach Todd Payten has turned to his bench, injecting Jeremiah Nanai into the contest for his first taste of NRL action for the year. Cowboys 10 - Sharks 12.

15th minute: This game is being played at a helter-skelter pace and the Cowboys have hit straight back as the points continue to flow. An error from Toby Rudolf on the kick return handed the hosts possession and Scott Drinkwater helped dissect the Sharks right edge to send Murray Taulagi over for the try. Cowboys 10 - Sharks 12.

12th minute: Sifa Talakai has a double and the Sharks have two tries in two sets. Addin Fonua-Blake produced a quick play the ball, Blayke Brailey darted from dummy half and the visitors were off and running. Will Kennedy, Nicho Hynes and Billy Burns were all involved as the ball eventually made its way to Talakai, who crossed in the corner. It's his first double since 2023. Cowboys 6 - Sharks 10

10th minute: Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon shook up his backline for this clash and it's already paying dividends for the Sharks. Sifa Talakai has producing multiple dominant carries since coming into the centres. This time he got on the outside of Jaxon Purdue before carrying Murray Taulagi over the try line to score Cronulla's first try of the night. Cowboys 6 - Sharks 6

8th minute: We're off to the Bunker after Billy Burns scooped up a loose ball to ground the ball. Nicho Hynes put up a bomb, with Teig Wilton leaping through the air to challenge for the catch. Replays show the ball touched Wilton's hand and travelled backwards, before Addin Fonua-Blake knocked the ball out of Scott Drinkwater's hands. The ruling is a Sharks knock on, with North Queensland surviving a scare. Cowboys 6 - Sharks 0.

4th minute: The Sharks have made a couple of unforced errors through the opening exchanges of this contest, handing the Cowboys early attacking opportunities. It didn't take long for the hosts to capitalise, Scott Drinkwater slicing through the Cronulla defensive line to open the scoring. Cowboys 6 - Sharks 0.

Kick-off: We are underway at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, with both sides looking to bounce back from last-start losses. Cronulla have an impressive recent record against the Cowboys but Todd Payten's side welcomes back Reed Mahoney, Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai for tonight's clash. The Sharks also have a big name back on deck, with Cam McInnes playing his first game since tearing his ACL late last year. Cowboys 0 - Sharks 0.

Pre-game: The players have entered the field for a pre-game Anzac Ceremony to commemorate the sacrifices made by Defence Force personnel to defend our country.

Stat Attack

The Cowboys have defeated the Sharks only once in six clashes at QCB Stadium.

The Sharks have won six of their last seven games against the Cowboys.

Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored six tries in his last eight games at QCB Stadium

Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes requires six points to reach 800 points for the club.

The Cowboys have conceded 69 points in their last two games.

Late Mail

Cowboys: Jeremiah Nanai will make his comeback from off-season shoulder surgery via the interchange after coach Todd Payten made a late switch on game day. Tom Mikaele will start in the back row, with Nanai shifting to the bench. Reed Mahoney and Murray Taulagi will also return from head knocks suffered a fortnight ago. Mahoney's comeback sees Soni Luke shift to the interchange, while Taulagi replaces Zac Laybutt on the wing. Kai O’Donnell and Kaiden Lahrs dropped out of the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Laybutt remains on the six-man bench as injury cover.

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