Back-to-back NRL finals appearances beckon for Cronulla after the Sharks put some space on their prospective postseason rivals with a comfortable win over North Queensland.
The Sharks had too much firepower for an undermanned Cowboys side, closing out a 28-12 victory at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
The Shire club are guaranteed to finish round 16 in eighth spot, four points ahead of ninth and with a boost to their points differential.
With playmaker Shaun Johnson (groin) watching on and Matt Moylan axed, rookie halves pair Connor Tracey and Braydon Trindall stood up to marshal the Sharks in the five-tries-to-two result.
The Cowboys had started well enough, winger Kyle Feldt scoring untouched in the right corner after a cut-out pass from Scott Drinkwater to help make it 6-0 after six minutes.
But three tries before the break put the clash firmly in the Sharks’ keeping.
Twice denied tries by video officials in the space of three minutes, Briton Nikora made it count in the 13th, powering over after a sweet short ball from Trindall.
The Sharks continued to press and were rewarded again in the 24th minute when Sione Katoa continued his fine season by reeling in a cut-out pass from William Kennedy to score spectacularly in the corner.
It was the winger’s 14th four-pointer of the season.
The action wasn’t just confined to the backs as veteran Aaron Woods laid off to fellow prop Braden Hamlin-Uele who split some ordinary Cowboys defence to barge over in the 28th minute.
Already missing destructive forward Jason Taumalolo, the Cowboys were rocked by another calf injury mid-half with playmaker and captain Michael Morgan leaving the field.
Things got a little testy at the break with the Sharks’ Ronaldo Mulitalo involved in a scuffle with Josh McGuire, Andrew Fifita later joining the melee.
Siosifa Talakai scored for the Sharks early in the second half but the match deteriorated after they’d established a comfortable lead.
While the finals loom large for the Sharks, a tough run home with matches against Newcastle, Warriors, Roosters and Canberra will keep them on their toes.
The season finish can’t come soon enough for the beleaguered Cowboys who’ve lost their past nine games and will look for a new coach in 2021.
