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Newcastle Knights v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Sunday 4:05pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

The Knights and Sharks do battle this Sunday up in Newcastle with the Knights in a world of trouble, as their almost non-existent attack has to compete against the solid defence and rejuvenated attack of the Cronulla Sharks.

The Knights attack is in a dire situation. At the end of Round 6, all bar 3 teams have scored 100 points. The Warriors (who have played 5 games) have scored 98 points, last placed Parramatta have scored 79 points and the Knights (also played 5 games) have a paltry 46 points - an average of 9.2 points per game.

Statistically, in recent times and in the entire history of the game, a score of 19 or better ensures a minimum 50% chance of success, the Knights need to score at better than half their average already this year to reach that mark. They've scored 10 points in their last 274 minutes of play.

And it's not like they've been up against competition heavyweights either. Perennial strugglers (in recent seasons anyways) the Titans and the Wooden spoon side for the last 3 seasons, the Wests Tigers have been their opponents either side of their match against the top-of-the-table Bulldogs.

The Knights have actually had a rather favourable draw to start the season and while defensively they've been very good, their attack would need to be upgraded in order for it to be regarded as pedestrian.

As a team they rank in the bottom four for line breaks, post contact metres, decoy runs, metres gained, runs, kick return metres, try assists (they have 6, the next worst sides have 11), line break assists and handling errors.

This is an attacking unit that is going through the motions. They are running the same system so frequently every game that they have become very easy to defend against. To the point that they have resorted to playing a bash and barge style, with the only attacking flair coming from offloads - their halves are almost redundant, basically, they are there to kick the ball at the end of the set, and even then its just a high kick to the wingers - how long before they decide to get a few extra wide ball-runners to man the halves and kick?

Their defence is doing great things, but their attack needs to….exist.

The Sharks have found their mojo again and they've really created a dynamite running game on the right side of the field, producing points regularly for them. Their middle is their strength in attack and defence, but the Knights middle defence could well contain them. So the focus for the Sharks will be their back rowers and centres. It wouldn't surprise if Blayke Brailey and Braydon Trindall take the bulk of the organizing duties in the middle of the field in order to give Nicho Hynes space out wide.

Last meeting: Round 24 2024 - Sharks 19 Knights 18

Players to watch For the Knights Greg Marzhew carries have been powerful and given the Knights attacking woes, it'd be smart for fullback Kalyn Ponga to send the kick return duties to Marzhew wherever possible and then give Ponga the ability to run from dummy half for the second tackle against a retreating or stationary defensive line.

The Sharks will be utilizing their back rowers when in prime attacking range. This is where fullback William Kennedy tends to involve himself as a support runner and link man. His brilliant footwork and pace gets him through gaps, outside defenders and exploiting defensive gaps in order to put others in for tries. Addin Fonua-Blake has been in brilliant form already and loves nothing more than a challenge. Expect him to have a huge game.

Favourite Despite being a Knights home game, the Sharks change of form last week against Manly, coupled with their dominant recent record over the Knights (Sharks have won 12 of their last 17 games against Newcastle), the Sharks have been placed as the clear favourite.

My Tip If last week is the best guide, the Sharks will do this easy. And I'm going with that. Cronulla by 20.

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Thomas Cant 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Brodie Jones 18. Kyle McCarthy

1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru

Referees: Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, Kasey Badger; Video Referees: Liam Kennedy;