TRY! Bad Sharks defence puts Molo over
Blayke Brailey won’t want to watch the replay of the linebreak in the lead up to Francis Molo’s try.
He barely made an effort to grab the arm of Lachlan Burr as he burst through the Sharks’ defensive line.
Burr was stopped millimetres from the visitors’ line but Tom Dearden rushed to dummy half and found a flying Molo to ensure the line break wasn’t wasted.
We’ve got a game in Townsville.
Sharks 14-12 Cowboys after 30 minutes
Johnson takes two
Dearden may have steadied the ship for North Queensland but the Sharks are still on top here.
Shaun Johnson just slotted a simple shot at a penalty goal to make it a two score game.
The Cowboys are without Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, too. He came from the field for a head injury assessment.
Sharks 14-6 Cowboys after 26 minutes
TRY! Dearden hits back for Cowboys
Welcome to Townsville, Tom Dearden.
The Cowboys halfback has his first try for North Queensland. It couldn’t have come at a better time.
A classy show-and-go from the playmaker produced a missed tackle from Siosifa Talakai close to Cronulla’s line.
That should settle the Cowboys’ nerves.
They trail 12-6 after 17 minutes.
TRY! Woods makes it two in short time for Sharks
That was mighty soft defence from the Cowboys.
Kyle Feldt kicked the restart dead on the full and gave the Sharks the chance to score two tries in quick succession.
It didn’t take any Shaun Johnson magic for Cronulla to take their chance.
Aaron Woods rolled through some soft tackles through the Cowboys’ middle third and slammed the ball down to give the Sharks a 12-0 lead after just 13 minutes.
Panic stations for Todd Payten.
TRY! Too easy for Tracey
Put this try down to Shaun Johnson.
A perfect grubber from the unwanted playmaker found space and Connor Tracey did what Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow could not.
Johnson would be a superb pick up for a struggling club at the right price. His playmaking ability remains top tier.
Sharks 6-0 Cowboys after 10 minutes
Is Chambers ready for his Langer moment?
As a Queenslander, I would be open to almost anything after Game One. To say it was hard to watch would be the understatement of the century.
But picking a 33-year-old Will Chambers is one of the few selection calls I wouldn’t welcome, despite the centre shortage facing Paul Green. Chambers’ best football is behind him.
Cowboys millimetres from first try
Scott Drinkwater placed a great grubber into the Sharks’ in goal and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was the only chaser.
The man they call ‘The Hammer’ grounded the ball but it touched the dead ball line, gifting the Sharks an early reprieve.
It’s nil-all after five minutes.
We’re underway in Townsville
Cronulla have first use of the ball.
Let’s see if the Sharks can win their fourth straight match.
An update on Ryan Papenhuyzen
The Storm don’t play until tomorrow night but the superstar fullback just released an update on his injury.
Papenhuyzen has been sidelined since he was concussed by a Tyrell Fuimaono which saw the Dragons forward sent off in round 10.
Late mail
The Sharks have made two changes to the team which snuck past the Panthers last week.
Wade Graham copped another head knock last week.Credit:Nine
Concussion protocol has ruled out Wade Graham. He’s been replaced by Siosifa Talakai.
Braden Hamlin-Uele also returns after missing the last five games due to an ankle injury.