The St George Illawarra Dragons will meet the Cronulla Sharks on Thursday, June 29th at PointsBet Stadium, Cronulla. This is your game day guide.
Local derby ignites in the Shire
The Dragons will journey into enemy territory this week for a Thursday night showdown against the Sharks at PointsBet Stadium.
One of rugby league’s fiercest rivalries, the Dragons have faced the Sharks more than they have any other side since 1999 having won 23 of the 51 meetings.
The sides have been difficult to split at PointsBet Stadium in recent years with both squads having won four of the past eight meetings at the venue.
The Dragons will be out for vengeance after falling to the Sharks at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium earlier in the year.
Key Timings:
Jersey Flegg Kick-off v Sharks: 5.35pm
NRL Kick-off v Sharks: 7.50pm
Where: PointsBet Stadium, Cronulla
Watch: Nine, Kayo & Foxtel
NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round
The NRL’s Beanie for Brain Cancer Round returns for its 10th year with all proceeds going to the Mark Hughes Foundation’s quest to tackle brain cancer.
A Newcastle Knights premiership-winner, Hughes was diagnosed with brain cancer a decade ago and still undergoes scans every four months as a part of his treatment.
One of the most important rounds on the rugby league calendar, the NRL and its fans have helped raise over $24 million for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
The Mark Hughes Foundation are hoping to sell its one millionth beanie this weekend.
Beanies can be purchased at participating Lowes and IGA stores as well as at NRL matches over this weekend.
Murdoch-Masila brings up his century
Ben Murdoch-Masila will be making his 100th NRL appearance when the Dragons face the Sharks on Thursday night.
Hailing from Auckland, he made his NRL debut as a teenager for the Wests Tigers in the side’s famous 99-minute, qualifying final loss to the Roosters in 2010.
After four seasons with the Wests Tigers, he linked up with the Panthers before journeying over to the UK.
He spent two seasons with the Salford Red Devils before a trio of years with the Warrington Wolves where he helped lead them to the 2019 Super League Grand Final.
He returned to the NRL with the Warriors in 2021 before joining the Dragons prior to the start of this season.
Now 32, Murdoch-Masila has made 14 appearances for the club this season and will be hoping for a local derby win on Thursday as he brings up his century.
Dragons without Suli, Bird
The Dragons will be without Moses Suli and Jack Bird for Thursday night’s clash against the Sharks.
Suli displayed category one concussion symptoms on Friday night against the Warriors and is subject to the NRL’s 11-say standdown policy whilst Bird copped a knock to his knee in the same game.
Tautau Moga is back for his first NRL appearance since Anzac Day to replace Suli in the centres whilst Ben Murdoch-Masila will start on an edge in place of Bird.
Toby Couchman and Jaiyden Hunt come onto the bench with Zane Musgrove dropping to the reserves.
Sharks staying firm
Fresh off a bye, Craig Fitzgibbon has named the same 17 that got the job done against the Bulldogs in Round 16.
Toby Rudolf has been named among the reserves as he looks to return from a toe injury that has kept him sidelined since Round 5.
Royce Hunt and Kade Dykes are the only other Sharks currently nursing injuries.
