Joshua Knox previews the clash between the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday afternoon. Here’s what we have to look forward to.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Vs Gold Coast Titans
Venue: C.Ex Coffs International Stadium
Date: Saturday June 18, 3:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Related: NRL Team List Tuesday
Embed from Getty ImagesSharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Aiden Tolman 15. Braydon Trindall 16. Teig Wilton 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Connor Tracey 19. Dale Finucane 20. Lachlan Miller 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Kade Dykes
The Sharks have named the same 17 that took care of business in round 14 over the New Zealand Warriors. Dale Finucane has been named amongst the reserves as he nears a return from injury.
Embed from Getty ImagesTitans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Paul Turner 7. Toby Sexton 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 11. Sam McIntyre 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Sam Lisone 18. Sosefo Fifita 19. Herman Ese’ese 20. Aaron Booth 21. Kevin Proctor 22. Esan Marsters
AJ Brimson returns from COVID-19 protocols at fullback as Jamayne Isaako shifts to the wing which sees Esan Marsters revert to the extended bench. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui returns to the starting side seeing Moeaki Fotuakia start from the bench.
Referee: Chris Sutton
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Cronulla come into this clash off the back of a solid 38-16 win over the Warriors to get back to winning ways. Seven of the eight tries were scored by their outside backs – with Sione Katoa grabbing a hat-trick as the Sharks kept in touch with the top four. The Cronulla spine are continuing to click which will please their fans heading into the back end of the season. With a favourable run over the next month, the Sharks need to continue on their winning ways to consolidate a top four finish.
The Titans are now languishing on the bottom of the ladder after falling 30-16 to the South Sydney Rabbitohs. With the Bulldogs pulling a surprise win over the Eels, the Titans have hit a season low, finding themselves in last position on the ladder on for-and-against. The Gold Coast have now lost their last four matches and nine of their last 10; with many touting them as a top eight chance this season, they have a number of questions to answer. It will now take a miracle to make the finals and the Titans will be playing for pride and looking to build for next season.
These two sides met only four weeks ago with Cronulla running away with a 25-18 victory over the Titans. This shapes as a pivotal clash for both sides: the Sharks are hoping to strengthen their premiership credentials while the Titans will want to taste victory again and get themselves off the bottom of the ladder.
Embed from Getty ImagesINTERESTING FACT
The Sharks have held the edge over the Titans – winning 15 of the 24 clashes between the two sides. The Titans have failed to beat the Sharks in their past seven attempts. Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has enjoyed his time against the Gold Coast, scoring three tries in his past two outings against the Titans.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Sharks by eight.
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