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Jason Taumalolo will have only Johnathan Thurston ahead of him on the all-time North Queensland games-played list after clashing with Cronulla on Saturday.

Jason Taumalolo will become the second-highest capped North Queensland player of all time when he plays against Cronulla on Saturday night, with only the great Johnathan Thurston ahead of him.

The Cowboys' wrecking ball had mixed emotions when reflecting on passing Matt Bowen's mark of 270 games in the clash in Townsville on Saturday night.

Thurston holds the club record with 294 appearances.

The 31-year-old Taumalolo was a prime reason for the Cowboys breaking through for their maiden premiership in 2015 during a streak that included making the finals seven years in a row.

He has also been through the lean years of 2018-2021, when the club failed to play finals.

"It is always special to take the field, let alone 270 times, and to pass Matty Bowen is a big achievement. He is a legend," Taumalolo said.

"It is pretty special and a bit sad but records are meant to be broken.

"I have been here through the highs and lows but the best part about it is that I watched a fair few guys that are here now come through the system as kids and develop their careers."

The Cowboys are in eighth position on the ladder and on track to play finals. They have a bye to come and play four of their six matches at home.

Taumalolo's impressive form - he has run for more than 100m in six consecutive games including a powerhouse 215m against Manly a fortnight ago - is a big boost for their finals hopes.

The Cowboys have also tightened their defence in the past month, conceding just 61 points in four matches.

The leadership last week of co-captains Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter was critical in the 20-18 win over Canterbury.

"This is a big-effort group compared to the teams we have had in the past and especially when you have got guys like Tom and Reuben," Taumalolo said.

"They live those values and that feeds into the other boys.

"The Sharks have been playing some great footy and we don't have a great record against them of late. They are going to be a handful regardless of the players they are missing."