Andrew Pelechaty previews the Round 18 opener between Cronulla-Sutherland and St George Illawarra.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Date: Thursday June 29, 7:50pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Jack Williams 17. Wade Graham 18. Connor Tracey 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Toby Rudolf 21. Braydon Trindall 22. Jesse Colquhoun
Dragons: 1.Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Tautau Moga 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Talatau Amone 15. Michael Molo 16. Toby Couchman 17. Jaiyden Hunt 18. Toby Couchman 19. Moses Mbye 20. Zane Musgrove 21. Max Feagai 22. Billy Burns
Referee: Grant Atkins
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
While it’s always been a fierce local derby, this Cronulla-Sutherland vs St George Illawarra clash shapes as a huge mismatch.
The Sharks have gained a reputation as the NRL’s “flat track bullies”: seven of their eight wins have been against current bottom eight teams (they also beat Parramatta in Round 2, with the Eels currently in the top eight). And they’ve racked up scores against the Dragons (40-8), North Queensland (44-6), and Canterbury-Bankstown (48-10).
As for the Dragons, they’ve had more drama than a full season of [insert favourite soap opera here], and are favourites to collect their first wooden spoon as a joint venture club. While they’ve won two games from three under interim coach Ryan Carr, that included a 48-18 hiding against the Warriors at Wollongong last weekend. Shane Flanagan was named the new full-time coach after former Dragon Jason Ryles chose the Melbourne Storm. And long-term major sponsor St George Bank will be cutting ties with the club. Adding to the melodrama is Ben Hunt: he was on the verge of leaving for a number of rumoured clubs, with an immediate return to Brisbane the favourite (and the chance for a fairytale redemption after THAT 2015 Grand Final). But the Dragons blocked his request.
How will Hunt react? Will he be fired up and want to perform for potential new clubs? Or will he coast through the last nine games at a club he seemingly doesn’t want to play for anymore?
Cronulla are unchanged after their big win over Canterbury and the bye. For the Dragons, Tautau Moga replaces Moses Suli in the centres (after a head knock against the Warriors).
The Sharks – with a six-game winning streak against the Red V – will have zero sympathy for their struggling rivals. They’ll see this game as a chance to build on their +74 differential, which could be crucial in one of the tightest competitions in years.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Sharks 8, Dragons 2
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Sharks by 30 points.
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