Cronulla have kept their premiership hopes alive with a 26-16 elimination-final victory over North Queensland at Allianz Stadium.
The Sharks scored five tries in an encouraging attacking display, with Sione Katoa crossing twice before Nicho Hynes produced the defining moment to establish an unassailable lead.
Cronulla will now face the loser of Sunday's qualifying final between Penrith and the Sydney Roosters, while North Queensland's season is over.
Here are three things we learned from the game:
The Sharks thrive on confidence
Cronulla reminded us that confidence remains their greatest asset. When the tide turns in their direction, the fire is quickly lit -- and few teams can extinguish it.
Sione Katoa's intercept try was the perfect example.
The winger read Scott Drinkwater's pass, plucked the ball out of the air and raced 60 metres to restore Cronulla's lead. After Katoa crossed again shortly after halftime, the Sharks began playing with greater speed, freedom and ambition.
They nearly travelled the length of the field to score again immediately after Katoa's second, with the movement ultimately forcing a Cowboys error and earning Cronulla a scrum.
A similar surge followed Will Kennedy's try in the 60th minute. The Sharks again swept upfield before Hynes produced a piece of individual brilliance, dummying his way through the defensive line and crossing to push the margin out to 14 points.
It was the type of attacking football Cronulla are capable of when their confidence is flowing. Players support through the middle, passes stick and Hynes becomes increasingly willing to challenge the defensive line.
The concern for Craig Fitzgibbon's men is what happens when momentum is not behind them.
Whether their next opponent is Penrith or the Roosters, Cronulla are unlikely to be afforded the same opportunities to build confidence through repeat attacking movements. Both sides will attempt to slow the Sharks down and deny them the momentum that fuelled Saturday night's victory.
Cronulla showed how dangerous they can be once the fire is burning. The next challenge is learning how to light it themselves when a game is not naturally flowing their way.
Trindall's return unlocks Hynes
Nicho Hynes was back to his dangerous best on Saturday night, which should come as little surprise with Braydon Trindall restored alongside him.
Hynes acknowledged earlier in the week that Trindall performs much of Cronulla's traditional halfback work despite wearing the No. 6 jersey. That dynamic was evident against the Cowboys.
Trindall assumed greater control of Cronulla's shape and kicking game, allowing Hynes to pick his moments and play with freedom as a running threat.
The Dally M medallist ran the ball 15 times for more than 120 metres, broke five tackles and scored a sensational solo try. Receiving the ball close to the Cowboys' line, Hynes shaped to pass before stepping through the defence and accelerating into open space.
It was a decisive play from a player who has endured no shortage of scrutiny over his performances in big games.
Trindall's value to Cronulla extends beyond his own statistics. His presence gives the Sharks greater direction and reduces the burden on Hynes to organise every attacking set, kick long and then manufacture the decisive play.
Hynes is at his most dangerous when he can survey the defence and choose when to inject himself. With Trindall steering the side, Cronulla's highest-paid player can concentrate on becoming its most damaging one.
Drinkwater remains the ultimate high-risk, high-reward player
Scott Drinkwater was once again at his rocks-and-diamonds best, producing two try assists and four line-break assists while also committing four errors.
It can certainly be argued that the Cowboys would not have remained in the contest without him. Drinkwater directly created two of North Queensland's three tries and converted both, playing a role in 12 of their 16 points.
His sweeping cut-out pass to create the Cowboys' opening try was Drinkwater at his creative best: daring, instinctive and capable of seeing an opportunity that few other players would attempt.
But the same appetite for risk also produced costly moments.
His intercept pass gifted Katoa a 60-metre try at a crucial stage of the first half, while his handling and decision-making errors repeatedly halted North Queensland's momentum.
That contrast has always defined Drinkwater's game. He can manufacture points from nothing, but his determination to find the decisive play can occasionally hand momentum to the opposition.
It is his X factor that prompted St George Illawarra to sign him on a multiyear deal from 2027. The Dragons are betting that his creativity can transform their attack, while accepting the volatility that comes with it.
Saturday night provided the complete Drinkwater experience: breathtaking creativity, costly mistakes and a willingness to continue chasing the match regardless of what had happened on the previous play.
For North Queensland, however, the rewards were not quite enough to outweigh the risks.
