Cronulla have advanced to the prelim finals, knocking off the Cowboys in a complete turnaround on their performance last weekend.
The hosts flew out of the gates at Allianz Stadium to take a 24-0 lead into the break, with the likes of Braydon Trindall and Cameron McInnes starring in the rout.
North Queensland showed some fight in the second half, but it was too little too late.
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The Mole rates every player’s performance out of 10 from Friday night’s game.
CRONULLA SHARKS
1. William Kennedy
Safe at the back and came up with one of the plays of the night with a try-saving ankle tap on his opposite, Scott Drinkwater. Rating: 7.5
2. Sione Katoa
Produced a try with a bat back from a bomb and was denied another by the bunker after great work to get to the line. Rating: 7
22. Jesse Ramien
Set up a try and two line breaks in a fine return from injury – the only blot on his game was a miss on Val Holmes that led to a try. Rating: 7
4. Kayal Iro
Put Mulitalo over for a try with a clever bat-on and made some strong bursts to win his first finals match. Rating: 8
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
Loved the fast, open game – was too quick for Kyle Feldt, scoring a try and helping lay on two more. Rating: 8.5
6. Braydon Trindall
Decimated the Cowboys in the first half, scoring two tries and having a hand in the other two. Took over as chief playmaker with an immaculate kicking and running game. Rating: 10
7. Nicho Hynes
Happy to play second fiddle to Trindall – kept it simple and gave Trindall time and space to work his magic. Rating: 6.5
Nicho Hynes celebrates after the win. Getty
8. Toby Rudolf
Solid in the middle, doing plenty of defence and running for over 120 metres as the Sharks won the battle up front. Rating: 7
9. Blayke Brailey
Quiet in attack, making few runs, but gave good service from dummyhalf and led the tackle count. Rating: 6.5
10. Oregon Kaufusi
Only played a little over half an hour and made just four runs – will need to do more against Penrith next week. Rating: 5
11. Briton Nikora
Always a danger with his wide running, having a hand in a try and constantly bending back the Cowboys’ defensive line. Rating: 7
12. Teig Wilton
His best season continued with a powerhouse game, running strongly out wide and asking plenty of questions of the defence. Rating: 7.5
13. Cameron McInnes
The man at the heart and soul of the Sharks scored a vital try and came up with some massive effort plays when his team was struggling. Rating: 8
3. Siosifa Talakai
Lifted the intensity of the Sharks when he got his chance off the bench but got a mere 16 minutes. May get more game time against Penrith. Rating: 5
15. Jack Williams
His strength and size caused some worries for the defence when injected into the fray. Rating: 6
16. Royce Hunt
Got a mere 12 minutes but made an impact and was unlucky to have a try denied by the bunker. Rating: 5
17. Thomas Hazelton
The Sharks’ new cult hero got the crowd to their feet with his wholehearted running. Earned his pay and then some. Rating: 6.5
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
1. Scott Drinkwater
Led the Cowboys in run metres but not his best game – made a few bad decisions and let a bomb bounce that led to a try. Rating: 6.5
2. Kyle Feldt
A wonderful NRL career ended sadly – struggled to contain Mulitalo’s pace and then injured his calf. Rating: 5
3. Valentine Holmes
Did his best to inspire his team in their second half fightback with two tries and was his team’s most dangerous ball runner until a late injury. Rating: 8
4. Viliami Vailea
The youngster didn’t make any major errors but looked a little out of his depth in only his second final. Will improve. Rating: 5
5. Murray Taulagi
Ran his team out of trouble with his trademark bursts from the back but got few chances in attack. Rating: 6
6. Tom Dearden
Set up all three Cowboys tries in the brief second half comeback and showed plenty of spark – but missed a worrying nine tackles. Rating: 8
7. Jake Clifford
A quiet game at half, failing to take control when the Cowboys needed a cool head in the face of the Cronulla onslaught. Rating: 5
Jake Clifford after the loss. Getty
8. Jordan McLean
Worked hard in defence but was kept well in check by the Sharks forwards, making just 67 metres from 10 runs. Rating: 5.5
9. Reece Robson
Busy around the rucks and topped the tackle count but five missed tackles and two errors marred his game. Rating: 5.5
10. Jason Taumalolo
The big man was marked for special attention from the start by the Sharks defence and had little impact in attack. Rating: 6
11. Heilum Luki
Looked like breaking the line several times before being brought down by desperate Sharks defence. Little off his game. Rating: 5.5
12. Jeremiah Nanai
Never got into the match, making just three runs for 20 metres. Will be disappointed with his poor contribution. Rating: 5
13. Reuben Cotter
As always, was the Cowboys’ busiest forward, doing the hard work and was rewarded with a determined try. Rating: 7.5
14. Sam McIntyre
Showed plenty of enthusiasm, making more yardage than any Cowboys forward, but never really threatened the defence. Rating: 7
15. Harrison Edwards
One of the youngest players in the contest, had just three runs for 21 metres but will have learned from the past two weeks. Rating: 4.5
16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Another Cowboy who was down on his game, rarely getting his hands on the ball in his half hour of game time. Rating: 5
17. Griffin Neame
One of the Cowboys’ best, showing plenty of get up and go when given his opportunity off the bench. Rating: 7