The shock defection of NRL prodigy Kalyn Ponga may yet have a silver lining, North Queensland coach Paul Green says.

Parramatta is set to make a play for North Queensland superstar Kalyn Ponga, believing the rising rookie is the last missing piece in their quest for a drought-breaking premiership.

He is yet to decide whether to pledge his allegiance to Australia or New Zealand, but Kalyn Ponga has just made an important call on his future.

Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk believe Perth is ripe for NRL expansion.

Chad Townsend received a text message shortly after the ignominy of being a halfback hooked against Canberra in the second match of the finals. It read: "Good luck mate, we're all behind you." It is still unknown whether its origin was Lachlan Coote.

Cronulla have just another nine days between them and a chance to end 49 years of false starts and false hope, knocking out the reigning premiers with a 32-20 victory.

• ANALYSIS

There is a little game being played in the lead-up to this weekend's preliminary finals. Two coaches are playing it; two are not.

They have a host of stars who divide public opinion, but Sharks boss Lyall Gorman has a simple message for supporters of the NSW clubs who are NRL also-rans this year – we want your support.

He's claimed almost every honour possible in rugby league and now Johnathan Thurston could be in line for a major multi-sport gong.

Who will embrace history better? JT v CT? Why should the Cowboys be any more tired than last year? And will Sydney really get behind the Sharks? All the talking points before the first preliminary final at Allianz Stadium.

The Cowboys great says North Queensland are wearing their bruises with pride as they prepare to face the refreshed Sharks in Friday night's preliminary final.

The Cowboys coach knows the classic against Brisbane could take a toll against the Sharks on Friday night, he's just not sure how much.

Former North Queensland fullback Tim Brasher believes Cronulla have made a huge error by saying they will target current Cowboys No.1 Lachlan Coote.

In one of the top five performances of the year, the brilliant young lock lifted his game to unprecedented levels. Can he maintain the rage against Cronulla?

Cronulla have promised a fiery welcome for North Queensland's much-vaunted forward pack as they seek to finally erase the painful memory of last year's NRL finals exit.

Melbourne Storm and North Queensland Cowboys aren't opponents in this weekend's preliminary finals, but the two clubs' cold war is fast becoming very public.

• COMMENT

Well, North Queensland and Brisbane have done it again.

Johnathan Thurston set up Michael Morgan in extra time as these teams produced another mesmerising contest in their enduring rivalry.

Cronulla will be rested but the Cowboys will head to Sydney stacked with belief as they continue their quest for back-to-back premierships.