Sharks v Eels preview

v BYE at

Sharks aim for club record 12 wins against an Eels side fighting to keep their season alive.

The Cronulla Sharks have the opportunity to create a club record this Saturday night in their game against the Parramatta Eels where they'll attempt to win their 12th game in a row. This in itself will be a marvelous achievement and it is no surprise that the Sharks sit where they are on the ladder on the back of this winning streak.

They were pushed all the way last week against the Warriors and could probably count themselves a little lucky to get away with the win but if you can record victories when you're not playing well, that is the sign of a champion team. Paul Gallen will lead his troops into battle against a desperate Parramatta squad that has been in the headlines all season and are still hoping to keep their slender 2016 Finals chances alive. For Cronulla, look for the combinations of James Maloney and Chad Townsend to dominate the Sharks attack, Maloney is very good at straightening the Sharks attack which has improved their attack a lot from last year. 

Where to start with for Parramatta? It has been a pretty torrid season for them with salary cap dramas, players leaving, senior players in headlines and now Semi Radradra in the papers regarding an alleged domestic violence issue. Despite all this however, the Eels could still make the finals in 2016 if they can record 9 wins out of their last 10 games. It would be a remarkable feat against all the odds, this side has a lot of fight and desire but can they go to the Shire and snap the Sharks amazing winning streak?

As this goes to print, Semi Radradra is still assumed to take his place in the side for the game and he will need to be at his fantastic best both in the air and carrying the football if Parramatta want to leave the Shire with a very valuable 2 competition points.

Last meeting: Round 25 2015 - Eels 28 Sharks 35

The Sharks won a thrilling contest in their meeting late in the 2015 season. Before that though, they had lost 4 of the past 5 against the Eels. Parramatta have an unflattering record at Southern Cross Group Stadium with 14 wins and 21 losses from 35 visits to the Shire. However more pleasant reading for Parramatta fans is the fact that they have won 3 of the past 4 played at Southern Cross Group Stadium.

Who to watch: The Sharks success in 2016 has been on the back of their rummaging forward pack which has run through other teams with consummate ease. On the back of excellent performances by Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham and the supremely talented Andrew Fifita. Fifita has stepped his game up a notch after struggling with injuries over the past two seasons. His offloading has come back into the fray and this has created space and oportunities for the Sharks backs to wreak havoc in the backfield. His average of 161 metres from 18 hit ups and 30 tackles a game is a huge indication of the hardworking and damaging player Fifita is. He will take it to the Parramatta forwards from the get go and you can guarantee he wont take a backward step, a player that any side would be delighted in having. 

For Parramatta they need a spark of brilliance against this Sharks side that is riding high on the wave of momentum. One of the young players that has featured over the last few weeks has been Auckland 9's sensation Bevan French. Blessed with pure speed and a great ability to back up team mates, French has transitioned into first grade rather easily. With Semi Radradra on the other flank, he hasn't seen a lot of action down the right hand side but even so has managed to score 4 tries in his first 3 games in the top grade. With a strong chance that Radradra may have be stepped down, don't be surprised to see the Eels venture down the right had side and let French showcase his freakish talents. 

The favourite: The Sharks are strong favourites being at home and riding a 11 match winning streak. 

My tip: The Sharks have been pushed in their last few games which has tested their resolve and I expect this to put them in good stead for this blockbuster clash against the Eels. The Sharks forward pack is star studded and if they play to their potential they will roll over the Eels. That said, the Eels have talent in lots of positions and if Corey Norman can get a roll on from his forwards then the Eels have a distinct chance of causing the upset. This is set to be a high scoring, exciting match! Sharks by 8.

1. Ben Barba 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Jack Bird 14. Ricky Leutele 4. Gerard Beale 6. James Maloney 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Michael Ennis 16. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange: 10. Sam Tagataese 15. Chris Heighington 16. Jayson Bukuya 17. Joseph Paulo

1. Michael Gordon 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Clinton Gutherson 5. Bevan French 6. Ken Edwards 7. Corey Norman 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Isaac De Gois 10. Danny Wicks 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Beau Scott 13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange: 14. Cody Nelson 15. Peni Terepo 16. David Gower 17. Rory O'Brien

Referees: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee; Sideline Officials: Jeff Younis, Rohan Best; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Luke Patten, Jason Robinson