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Cronulla Sharks vs North QLD Cowboys NRL Round 22 Tips - Shark Bait

ryan-tucker
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Last updated: Thu 31 Jul 2025 15:58

This article discusses the upcoming NRL Round 22 matchup between the Cronulla Sharks and North QLD Cowboys. The Sharks are anticipated to maintain their winning streak, possessing a strong record against the Cowboys and favorable home performance. Despite the Cowboys' road struggles, they have shown potential in recent matches. With players like Briton Nikora expected to make an impact, the Sharks aim for a decisive victory. Analysis also highlights team changes and performance statistics, serving as a comprehensive guide for fans.

Ryan Tucker 31 Jul 2025
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  • Cronulla Sharks vs North QLD Cowboys expert predictions for Sunday’s Round 22 NRL game
  • Kick off is at 4:05 PM (AEST) at Shark Park
  • Cronulla Sharks favored against the Cowboys with strong home and overall records.
  • North QLD struggles on the road, questionable defensive performance anticipated.
  • Briton Nikora expected to be a key player, building on past performances.
Cronulla Sharks vs North QLD Cowboys NRL Round 22 Tips

Cronulla Sharks vs North QLD Cowboys, Round 22 2025 - Expert Prediction


Cronulla are predicted to continue their hot form against the Cowboys with another win on Sunday afternoon keeping them entrenched in the top 8.
  • Cronulla Sharks vs North QLD Cowboys, Round 22 2025 - Expert Prediction
  • Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys Rd 22 NRL Cheat Sheet
  • Head to Head 
  • Cronulla Sharks Form Analysis
  • Cronulla Sharks Team News
  • Cronulla Sharks Team List
  • North QLD Cowboys Form Analysis
  • North QLD Cowboys Team News
  • North QLD Cowboys Team List
  • Cronulla Sharks vs North QLD Cowboys NRL 2025 Round 22 FAQ’s

North Queensland have not had the confidence on the road this season ranked 13th in Away record with just 3 wins from 9 games, they also have just 2 wins from 10 games against Top 8 teams. The Sharks have a 9-2 record against Bottom 9 opponents and own a 7-2 record at home, the 4th best this season in the NRL.

Despite getting the win last weekend the Cowboys are still 17th in Points Conceded this season allowing an average of 29.6 pts per game, on the road that balloons out to 31 per game.

The Sharks have had their woes trying to score points at times in 2025 but at home they average 23.4 per game and now will matchup against a defence that does not value protecting their tryline. 

As long as the Sharks can repel a few attacks and not leave this game hanging late then they should walk away with the chocolates comfortably. 

Take Cronulla to win 13+ going Over their Team Total. Briton Nikora scored in the last meeting with the Cowboys and is a hot tip to cross again in this one.

  • Cronulla have won 11 of the last 12 regular season matchups vs North Queensland with an average win margin of 20 pts. 
  • The Sharks have the 4th best Home Record in the NRL and have averaged over 33 pts per game vs the Cowboys in their 11 most recent wins.
  • Briton Nikora has scored 7 tries this season including 1 in Rd 2 vs North Queensland. 
  • The Cowboys right side defence has allowed 53% of Opposition Tries in 2025.

Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys Rd 22 NRL Cheat Sheet


Sharks vs Cowboys Rd 22 Cheat Sheet
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Head to Head 


The Sharks and Cowboys have met in 12 regular season matchups since the start of the 2019 season with Cronulla winning 10 straight before a 30-22 loss last season. They came back to win 36-12 in their matchup earlier this season in North Queensland.

The teams are 1-1 in finals matches in the same time span.

The Game Total is split evenly 6-6 in the last 12 but 3 of the last 5 have gone Over. The Average Winning Margin in this matchup is 19.5 points with the 13+ hitting in 9 of the 12 regular season games.

Cronulla Sharks Form Analysis


How Cronulla managed to not win by more than 14-12 over Souths last weekend is a mystery. Granted the Rabbits scored a converted try in the 80th minute but 58% Possession and 74% Territory should have turned into more points for the Sharks.

They made 1796 Run Metres in the match with 34 Tackle Busts and a whopping 61 tackles inside the Bunnies 20m zone. They just could not score!

The poor conversion rate puts the Sharks at 13th in league for Tryscoring Efficiency, needing 11.3 Tackles Inside 20m for every try, almost two tackles worse than the league average of 9.7.

Cronulla Sharks Team News


Sifa Talakai makes a return to the starting lineup in the centres with Chris Veaila the man to miss out. Briton Nikora has recovered from a head knock and takes up his backrow position with Billy Burns moving back to the interchange.

Cronulla Sharks Team List


1. Will Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien 
4. Sifa Talakai 
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 
6. Braydon Trindall 
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Blayke Brailey 
10. Oregon Kaufusi 
11. Briton Nikora 
12. Teig Wilton  
13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange
14. Daniel Atkinson
15. Jesse Colquhoun
16. Billy Burns
17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves
18. Jayden Berrell
19. Hohepa Puru
20. Mawene Hiroti
21. Thomas Hazelton
​​​​​​​22. Samuel Stonestreet


North QLD Cowboys Form Analysis


The Cowboys escaped with a 38-32 win over the Dragons last weekend, both teams scoring in the last 10 minutes to keep it interesting. 

The game is a hard read statswise, North Queensland owned the majority of territory in the match but had less possession than their opponent, they won the linebreaks 10-6 but had just 25 tackles inside the Dragons red zone. 

They allowed St George to make 36 tackle busts and 17 offloads which coupled with 13 errors and 10 penalties conceded almost handed them the game.

North QLD Cowboys Team News


Jake Clifford’s return could not have come at a better time with the finals hopes of the Cowboys on thin ice. He replaces Thomas Duffy at five-eighth. Marly Bitungane is the utility with Karl Lawton suspended. 

North QLD Cowboys Team List


1. Scott Drinkwater 
2. Robert Derby   
3. Jaxon Purdue
4. Zac Laybutt
5. Braidon Burns
6. Jake Clifford  
7. Tom Dearden 
8. Harrison Edwards 
9. Reece Robson 
10. Griffin Neame 
11. John Bateman
12. Jeremiah Nanai 
13. Reuben Cotter 

Interchange
14. Marly Bitungane
15. Kaiden Lahrs
16. Kai O'Donnell
17. Coen Hess

Reserves
18. Jaxson Paulo 
19. Nicholas Lenaz
20. Mason Kira 
21. Jamal Shibasaki
​​​​​​​22. Dane Aukafolau


Cronulla Sharks vs North QLD Cowboys NRL 2025 Round 22 FAQ’s

How to watch Cronulla Sharks vs North QLD Cowboys NRL 2025 Round 22?

You can watch the Cronulla Sharks vs North QLD Cowboys NRL 2025 Round 22 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Cronulla Sharks vs North QLD Cowboys NRL 2025 Round 22?

To buy tickets to the Cronulla Sharks vs North QLD Cowboys NRL 2025 Round 22 game check the NRL website or the official Cronulla Sharks site.

Verdict

Take Cronulla to win 13+ going Over their Team Total. Briton Nikora scored in the last meeting with the Cowboys and is a hot tip to cross again in this one.
Best Bet1: Cronulla 13+ Winning Margin $2.20 at Playup - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Sharks Over 28.5 Team Total $1.95 at Elitebet - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Briton Nikora Anytime Tryscorer $2.85 at dabble - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Briton Nikora First Tryscorer $15.00 at Neds - 1 Unit
Cronulla 13+
Winning Margin
$2.20 - 3 Units
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Team Total
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Briton Nikora
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Betting Slip | 03 Aug 2025

Cronulla Sharks v North QLD Cowboys