NRL.com match preview: Round 21 v Sharks
The Sharks' friendly run home gives them every chance to grab a top-four spot and their surge to September starts on Saturday against old rivals the Dragons.
Sitting third on 28 competition points, the Sharks play the sides coming 11th, 15th, 10th, 12th and 14th in the final five games so a home final at PointsBet Stadium beckons.
The Dragons hit a major hurdle on Sunday when they were totally outplayed by the Cowboys and their misfiring attack must be a huge concern to coach Anthony Griffin.
Given that Cronulla boast the third best defensive record in the NRL the Dragons will need to find a whole lot more with ball in hand if they are to topple the Sharks for the first time since round five, 2020.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Sharks v Dragons
The Rundown
Team news
Sharks: Five-eighth Matt Moylan is a late withdrawal after injuring his quad in the captain's run. Braydon Trindall joins the starting side and Lachlan Miller joins the bench.
A blow for the Sharks with fullback Will Kennedy facing 5-6 weeks on the sideline after undergoing ankle surgery. His place is taken by Kade Dykes on debut. Royce Hunt is out with a shoulder injury so Braden Hamlin-Uele will start.
Dragons: A late switch an hour before kick-off with Francis Molo moving into the starting side, Jack de Belin going to lock and Tariq Sims shifting to the back row. Josh McGuire remains on the bench. Billy Burns dropped out of the side on Friday. Michael Molo has been recalled to the bench for his first game since Round 16. Fullback Cody Ramsey is expected back on deck in Round 22 from a knee injury.
Match: Sharks v Dragons
Round 21 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Kade DykesFullback for Dragons is number 1 Moses Mbye
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Winger for Sharks is number 2 Connor TraceyWinger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
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Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Dragons is number 3 Jack Bird
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Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa TalakaiCentre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
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Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Dragons is number 5 Tautau Moga
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Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 14 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone
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Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
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Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby RudolfProp for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
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Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCullough
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Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-UeleProp for Dragons is number 16 Francis Molo
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham2nd Row for Dragons is number 13 Tariq Sims
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Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Dragons is number 8 Jack De Belin
Interchange
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Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Aiden TolmanInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Tyrell Sloan
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Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Teig WiltonInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Aaron Woods
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Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew FifitaInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Josh McGuire
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Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Lachlan MillerInterchange for Dragons is number 18 Michael Molo
Reserves
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Replacement for Dragons is number 21 Tyrell Fuimaono
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Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Jesse Colquhoun
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Siosifa Talakai v Zac Lomax: The wrecking ball Talakai squaring off with the fleet footed Lomax provides an intriguing contrast in styles. With 86 tackle breaks to his name so far this season Talakai has proved almost unstoppable at times, while his tally of 13 line break assists shows he can create opportunities for team-mates as well. Lomax has busted 56 tackles and been at the heart of plenty of Red V raids and he's a man the Sharks will need to watch closely.
Stat Attack
Nicho Hynes, Siosifa Talakai and William Kennedy have 44 line break assists between them for the season to all sit inside the top 10 in that category. The Dragons' best is Ben Hunt with 11, closely followed by Talatau Amone and Jack Bird with 10 each.
Match: Sharks v Dragons
Round 21 -
home Team
Sharks
3rd Position
away Team
Dragons
11th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
