Friday night NRL action begins in Townsville this weekend with an intriguing contest between the Cowboys and Sharks. Both teams sit in the middle of the competition ladder and now that the NRL has passed the opening weeks, teams are in search of consistency to establish themselves as a contender. This ensures a spirited match and Before You Bet is here to guide you through with a comprehensive look at the game ahead.
Also, Before You Bet will be providing free previews and betting tips for EVERY game in the 2026 NRL season, so make sure to head over to our NRL Tips regularly to keep up to date with all of our free content.
Cowboys vs Sharks Predictions & Tips: NRL Round 8 2026
Ambushed and looking fragile
The Cowboys cracks present at the Cowboys reappeared last week as they were hammered at home 38-6 by the Sea Eagles. Never in the contest, they conceded 6 tries and couldn’t even capitalise on the loss of a star player during the contest. They only have themselves to blame with a horrible 58% completion rate highlighting their shortcomings. On top of just 45% possession, they could do little with their 9.7m per carry; rather, they were fragile in defence missing 32 tackles, allowing 9.9m per carry, and conceding 5 line breaks. The concerns around this team grew louder and they must address them if they are to improve moving forward.
A week off to lick their wounds
Everything was looking positive for the Sharks against the Roosters in Perth during Round 6. Leading at HT 22-12, the Sharks capitulated in the second half to suffer a 12-point defeat. Kept scoreless in the second half, they were impacted by their lack of possession (45%) and despite having a strong completion rate (81%), they managed 8.9m per carry. Defence was their major issues also; they missed 42 tackles and conceded 6 line breaks. This ‘effort’ area left many wondering if they are the side everyone expects them to be, but a Bye week last week might have just come at the right time before a challenging road trip north.
Stats that matter
- The Sharks have won 6 out of the past 7 against the Cowboys including 3 games at this ground. It contributes to their superior record compared to their opponents (53% vs 83%).
- The average margin of victory between these two sides in the past 5 matches is 19.2 points. They have been low scoring matches though, with the average total sitting at 47.2 points for the same number of games.
- These two sides concede the same number of points defensively in 2026 (25ppg). The Sharks have a slight edge in attack, scoring 26ppg compared to the Cowboys 23ppg.
One is clearly better than the other
As mentioned above, the loss of the Cowboys was far more disappointing than what has been made of it. They are a team which still experiences plenty of issues over 80 minutes. Many will be quick to mention the Sharks shortcomings, but they have shown greater promise than their opponents in this contest and appear more capable of an 80-minute performance. The journey north appears to hold no fear for them either and it has been a long time coming since their last match. The travel will matter little once this game begins and they are well placed to succeed. The return of 3 key players in Taulagi, Mahoney, and Nanai does give the Cowboys a boost; it may improve them, but the Sharks have their own. This means that the stake should be kept low and you should avoid using this bet in a multi over the weekend. There are more suitable games this weekend to invest upon.
Sharks -1.5
$1.90 (1.5 units)
Cowboys vs Sharks Same Game Multi
Leg 1 = Total points under 52.5 – see above for justification.
Leg 2 = Either team by 12.5 points – despite blowouts usually occurring between these two sides, this game is set to be closer in tougher than expected conditions.
Leg 3 = Trindall to score – not a noted try scorer, Trindall has been in great form this season. On top of setting them up, he has also scored 2 tries in his past 4 matches. Trindall also likes playing the Cowboys, scoring 6 tries in his past 5 games against them.
SGM Odds = $12.53 at Dabble
Cowboys vs Sharks Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Friday 24th April
Location: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Time: 6pm (AEST)
Odds: Cowboys $1.95 vs Sharks $1.87
Line: +1.5
Points: 52.5
Where to Watch Cowboys vs Sharks
Watch the Cowboys vs Sharks match live and ad free on Kayo Sports.
Tail our 2026 NRL Tips at Dabble!
Not familiar with Dabble or want to learn more? Check out our full Dabble review here, or by clicking the banner below.
