The Cowboys are out to solidify their place inside the top eight when they host the Sharks on Saturday night.
The Cowboys secured a crucial two points with a tense victory over the Bulldogs on Sunday to ensure they remained in eighth place after 20 rounds.
North Queensland are one of four teams on 24 competition points, with the Raiders in 10th place on 22 points and a further three teams on 20.
That means every game for the Cowboys is crucial in the run to the finals and they are determined to make it two in a row this weekend.
Cronulla will travel to Townsville full of confidence having claimed a dominant 42-6 victory over North Queensland in Round 7.
The Sharks have had a week off to freshen up after a convincing 52-point win over Wests Tigers a fortnight ago.
Craig Fitzgibbon’s side currently sits third on the ladder and their eager to maintain their place inside the top four.
Cowboys: Queensland winger Murray Taulagi will return from a hamstring injury after being added to the starting side on Friday night.
There was less positive news for forward Heilum Luki who was ruled out with a hamstring strain. The back-rower will be replaced by Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, with Tom Mikaele added to the bench. Taulagi’s return sees Jaxon Purdue drop back to the interchange. Jake Granville was named 18th man.
Sharks: Highly-touted rookie Liam Ison is set for his NRL debut after being selected to replace the suspended Will Kennedy at fullback.
Siosifa Talakai is set to provide an impact off the bench after being named to make his return from suspension on the interchange.
A second Shark will make his debut on Saturday night after 29-year-old hooker was added to the bench in the 24-hour update.
Royce Hunt was initially named to start at prop but did not travel with the team due to illness, with Tom Hazelton moving from the interchange to the starting side. Winger Samuel Stonestreet is 18th man.
- The Cowboys have not defeated the Sharks in Townsville since 2018.
- The Sharks have won 11 of their past 12 games against the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys have won only two of their past six games at QCB Stadium.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored five tries in his past three games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored six tries in his past seven games.