The storied clashes of neighbouring rivals the Sharks and Dragons continues with the local Derby on Sunday night, concluding Round 4. The clash is punctuated by the return of Nicho Hynes playing his first game of the 2023 season in what should be a highlight clash of the round.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
St. George Illawarra Dragons Vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Venue: Jubilee Stadium
Date: Sunday March 26, 6:15pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Zane Musgrove 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr 18. Michael Molo 19. Max Feagai 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Talatau Amone 22. Aaron Woods
Sharks: 1. William 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. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braydon Trindall 18. Jack Williams 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Thomas Hazelton 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Connor Tracey
Referee: Todd Smith
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The rivalry between the St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Cronulla Sharks will write another chapter when the pair meet on Sunday night in the final game of Round 4. Both sides have one win apiece so far in 2023 and will be desperate not to fall too far off the pace early in the season.
The Dragons were on course for an upset in Brisbane last week before a second-half collapse turned a 16-8 lead into a 40-18 defeat. The capitulation in the final 10 minutes would be very concerning for the Dragons and coach Anthony Griffin. The coach himself has been in the headlines with questions raised on his long term job at the Dragons already. The Dragons conceded four tries between the 71st and 78th minute after defending staunchly for the game up until that point. It’s a defensive lapse rarely seen at that magnitude in a tight contest at NRL level, and one that’s no doubt been spoken about during the week.
The Dragons still found some quality attacking touches through young half Jayden Sullivan who managed a try, as well as once again Tyrell Sloan who has continued his nice attacking form to so far in 2023. However, it was an uncharacteristically quiet night from Ben Hunt who managed zero attacking stats and only ran the ball five times. His lack of involvement was also punctuated by one error alongside two penalties. If the Dragons are to bounce back they will need Hunt firing and ensuring their attack delivers more than 18 points against the hungry Sharks.
The other players in the Dragons team that struggled were the middle forwards, who were largely dominated by Brisbane, but in particular Payne Haas – his final 12-minute stint was so physically dominant it just about won the game for the Broncos. The forwards for the Broncos well and truly dominated yardage and, unfortunately for Dragons fans, they will face another strong uncompromising pack in the Sharks.
Whilst the Sharks couldn’t topple the Raiders in the nation’s capital on Sunday night they do finally have Nicho Hynes back on deck, which they’ll be hoping can kickstart their season. Last year’s Dally M medallist has been sorely missed and no doubt his class and attacking prowess will boost the Sharks’ attack. In both clashes last year against the Dragons Hynes scored a try as well as being involved in several others. There is also no doubt the Sharks’ outside backs, who were red hot in 2022, will benefit from Hynes’ return – with mixed starts in 2023 for the likes of Jesse Ramien, Siosifa Talakai, Sione Katoa, and Ronaldo Mulitalo, who all had arguably career years last season.
Only the one change for the home side, with rookie Toby Couchman returning at the expense of Michael Molo. Hynes’ return for the Sharks pushes Braydon Trindall to the pine, with Jack Williams moving to 18th Man.
Kogarah has not been a happy hunting ground for the Dragons in recent meetings with the Sharks, losing their last four clashes. The Dragons have performed better than many expected so far despite last week’s capitulation, and the Sharks could be hitting their best form with the return of Hynes, so it shapes as an intriguing contest. In the end though it appears the Dragons will again be underdogs as with every 2023 match so far, and may again find themselves without the W once the final siren blows.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Sharks 8, Dragons 2.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Sharks by eight points.
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