Round 11: Sharks v Dragons preview
Top eight hopefuls clash at Kogarah
Six weeks on from their last meeting, the Cronulla Sharks will host the St George Illawarra Dragons at Kogarah in the latest chapter of their long-standing rivalry.
Recording their biggest win of the season during last Sunday's 46-10 annihilation of the Warriors at Gosford, the Cronulla Sharks will be hoping to continue a good run of form in recent weeks.
Sitting outside the top eight on percentages after conceding a late try last Sunday, coach John Morris will be hoping his side can record their first win at Kogarah since taking up temporary residency at the historic venue.
Holding a 25 per cent success rate at the Dragons' spiritual home with three wins from 12 appearances during the 2000s, the Sharks will be keen to make amends after being humiliated in front of their home fans by the Panthers a fortnight ago.
Retaining Will Kennedy at fullback with Bryson Goodwin named as part of the extended squad, Siosifa Talakai starts in place of Briton Nikora (suspension) allowing 20-year-old Narooma junior Teig Wilton to make his NRL debut off the bench.
Snatching victory in the final minute to win 28-22 against the Bulldogs last Saturday, the St George Illawarra Dragons will be hoping to down their southern Sydney rivals twice in a season for the seventh time.
Recording their first win of the season over the Sharks with a 30-16 victory at Campbelltown Stadium back in June, coach Paul McGregor has enjoyed a reversal of fortune in the ensuing weeks with four wins from their past six matches.
Sitting two points outside the top eight in 11th position, contests against the Sharks have been closely fought with both teams emerging with five wins apiece since 2015.
Naming utility Tyrell Fuimaono in place of Tariq Sims after the representative forward was suspended for the second time this season, Jacob Host comes onto the bench for his first match in a month.
Last meeting: Round 5 2020 - Dragons 30 Sharks 16
Who to watch: Debuting with Canberra as a teenager before spending four-and-a-half years at St George Illawarra, Josh Dugan will bring up 200 appearances in the NRL on Saturday evening. Making his name at club level in the number one jersey while featuring throughout the backline for New South Wales and Australia, the 30-year-old has enjoyed a strong recovery amid fears chronic arthritis could see the inaugural Jack Gibson Medallist medically retired. Playing his best football this season in the centres with over 100 metres per game, Dugan will be out to make headlines for all the right reasons in his milestone match.
Returning to form in recent weeks after starting the season in reserve grade, Euan Aitken has played a pivotal role in the Dragons' resurgence. Helping the side move within two points of the top eight with tries in his past two matches, the 25-year-old Scottish international has relished the security of starting in the centres with 150 metres per game over the past six weeks. Set to oppose Cronulla speedster Jesse Ramien in a key personal duel, Aitken shapes as a player capable of breaking the game open on Saturday evening.
The favourite: Scoring plenty of points in recent weeks to sit on the cusp of the top eight, the Sharks are expected to prove too strong with the ball.
My tip: Chasing three straight wins for the first time in a year, the Dragons will fancy their chances of pulling off an upset. Dragons by 4.
