Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction, Odds & Best Bets

Cronulla playing North Queensland in a finals match seems like a near annual tradition with this the seventh September matchup between the two sides since 2013. North Queensland were the luckiest team to make the finals, reaching the playoffs despite a differential of -84. They are the 4th team to make the finals with a negative points differential of -80 or worse. Two of the three previous teams covered. North Queensland have been utterly horrendous at times including last week when they conceded 50 at home. Teams off conceding 50-plus though cover at 60% and North Queensland do rebound well, going 14-5 against the spread off a loss of 20-plus. They are 13-8 against the number getting a start of six or more. With Cronulla in very poor form themselves and going just 3-6 against the spread in their last nine favoured away from Shark Park, the Cowboys look a strong bet getting such a big start. Jake Clifford is having the best tryscoring season of his career with nine tries in 23 appearances. Braidon Burns is airborne with 15 tries in 20 games in 2026.

Tips
Best: North Queensland +7.5 ($1.90)
Next: North Queensland Win ($2.80)
Tryscorer: Jake Clifford ($26 First, $4.50 Anytime)
SGM: Jake Clifford Try/Braidon Burns Try ($8.47)