Mal Meninga’s Maroons have done it for years and now North Queensland coach Paul Green is catching on with the Cowboys mentor labeling Cronulla favourites this weekend despite their elimination final being held in Townsville and boasting Johnathan Thurston, Michael Morgan and Jason Taumalolo among others.

“They probably deserve to be favourites for this game,” Green said.

“Really, they’ve beaten us twice throughout the year and they’ve knocked off the Roosters and have done well against top-four teams.

“They’re a tough team, they play a tough brand of footy and they’ve got good players in good form.

“We’re expecting no different from them on Saturday night.”

But Green says his team is making no excuses.

“I would expect our players to be preparing well and switched on regardless of who we are playing and what has gone on before,” Green said.

“There are no more next weeks, there are only two weeks left in the competition and the rewards ahead for all teams involved at this point are massive.

“It’s what everyone trains so hard for.”

Meanwhile Cronulla captain Paul Gallen says the Sharks are ready for a fiery entry in the north of Queensland.

“A few of us were having coffee and speaking about this last week,” Gallen told Sky Sports Radio.

“both places hold no fear for us, whether we had to play in Townsville or Brisbane.

“We were saying how exciting it would be to play in Brisbane in front of 50,000 people.

“And in Townsville it would be more than 20,000 and we’ve had success there, so no, it’s not daunting.”