Cowboys vs Sharks Prediction and Tips - NRL Round 8, 2026
Last updated: Apr 24, 2026, 7:55AM | Published: Apr 19, 2026, 12:01AM
The Cowboys will face the Sharks in NRL Round 8 action at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday, with kick-off at 6:00pm AEST.
This article features Stats Insider's prediction and tips for the Cowboys vs Sharks game, plus the latest betting odds and try scorer tips.
Who Will Win?
Utilising advanced machine learning and data, Stats Insider has simulated the outcome of Friday's North Queensland vs Cronulla NRL match 10,000 times.
Our proven predictive analytics model gives the Sharks a 59% chance of defeating the Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Cowboys vs Sharks: Odds
The current Bet365 betting odds for Friday's NRL clash at Queensland Country Bank Stadium are shown below:
- Head to Head: Cowboys $1.95, Sharks $1.87
- Line: Cowboys +1.5 ($1.91), Sharks -1.5 ($1.91)
- Total (Over/Under 52.5 Points): Over $1.91, Under $1.91
Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Looking at the latest head-to-head odds, Bet365 currently has the Cowboys at $1.95 and the Sharks at $1.87.
The Cowboys are listed as 1.5-point underdogs against the Sharks, with odds of $1.91 available at Bet365.
For the favourite Sharks (-1.5) to cover the line, Bet365 offers odds of $1.91.
The over/under for total points scored is set at 52.5 with Bet365, which has odds of $1.91 for the over and $1.91 for the under.
According to Stats Insider's model, the Sharks (-1.5) are predicted to cover the line 59% of the time, while the 52.5-point over/under is expected to stay under 58% of the time.
Cowboys vs Sharks: Betting Tips
- Head to Head: Sharks at $1.87 with Bet365
- Line: Sharks -1.5 at $1.91 with Bet365
- Total Points: Under 52.5 at $1.91 with Bet365
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Our Cowboys vs Sharks predictions are based on detailed simulations and betting intelligence to provide you with the best possible advice around the clock.
Cowboys vs Sharks: Prediction
Stats Insider's predicted final score for Cowboys vs Sharks at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday is the Sharks winning 25-21.
This prediction is based on each team's average score following 10,000 game simulations.
Stats Insider provides full betting coverage of the Cowboys vs Sharks match on Friday, including data-driven predictions and expert tips.
18+. Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.Cowboys vs Sharks: Try Scorers
Are you looking for Cowboys vs Sharks try scorers? The latest data is in.
According to Stats Insider, the Cowboys' Murray Taulagi is the most likely player to score the first try in North Queensland vs Cronulla.
Taulagi has a 8.1% chance of scoring the first try at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, while the Cowboys star has a 51.4% chance of scoring a try at any time during the match.
Scroll down for the complete list of first try scorer and anytime try scorer probabilities.
First Try Scorer Tips
North Queensland Cowboys
- Murray Taulagi: 8.1% probability
- Braidon Burns: 7.1% probability
- Jaxon Purdue: 6.8% probability
- Scott Drinkwater: 4.8% probability
- Tom Chester: 3.8% probability
Cronulla Sharks
- Samuel Stonestreet: 7.0% probability
- Mawene Hiroti: 6.1% probability
- KL Iro: 5.3% probability
- Braydon Trindall: 4.9% probability
- William Kennedy: 4.3% probability
Anytime Try Scorer Tips
North Queensland Cowboys
- Murray Taulagi: 51.4% probability
- Braidon Burns: 49.0% probability
- Jaxon Purdue: 44.1% probability
- Scott Drinkwater: 36.1% probability
- Tom Chester: 28.7% probability
Cronulla Sharks
- Samuel Stonestreet: 47.4% probability
- Mawene Hiroti: 42.7% probability
- KL Iro: 38.5% probability
- Braydon Trindall: 33.0% probability
- William Kennedy: 31.1% probability
Our model updates regularly, so keep checking this article for the latest betting analysis before the Cowboys vs Sharks game.
As always, see our Best Bets for the best tips for every NRL match, as well as predictions for a wide range of other sports.
Cowboys vs Sharks: Essential Details
The NRL Round 8 clash between the Cowboys and Sharks at Queensland Country Bank Stadium is scheduled to start at 6:00pm AEST on Friday.
- Teams: North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks
- Date: Friday 24 April 2026
- Kick-off: 6:00pm AEST
- Location: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
All dates and times in this article are in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), unless otherwise noted.
Conclusion
Our Cowboys vs Sharks predictions are based on 10,000 data-driven simulations of the game, carefully curated by our team of expert data scientists and analysts. We use the latest in predictive analytics technology and machine learning to ensure our rugby league tips are accurate and reliable, giving you the confidence to make informed decisions.
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