Round 22: Cronulla v Newcastle preview
Knights look to continue surge to the finals against Sharks
After a dismal performance against the Roosters a few weeks ago, the Knights have enjoyed two convincing wins, one over a fellow finals challenger, and sit in the box seat to secure one of the two available finals spots towards the bottom of the 8.
The Cronulla Sharks are a case study showing why the Knights can't afford to get too comfortable or complacent where they are. Two weeks ago, they were sitting pretty in 7th position, two points clear of the Titans and Knights, teams that have since made up that difference and then some to position themselves as favourites for the 8.
The Sharks' performance last week against the Warriors with their season on the line was as dismal as it gets. If you've seen the clip of Euan Aitken's try, you'll know that it was some of the softest "defence" you'll see in first grade, the makeshift Warriors backrower shaking free of two tackle attempts to set the Warriors up for a 10 point comeback.
Football IQ is also an area the Sharks, more specifically coach Josh Hannay need to fix up before this week, neglecting the gift two points while down 18-16 late in the match last week. Unsurprisingly, it didn't work, and after the two-point loss, the Sharks need to win this one to remain a chance at the finals.
In team news, Will Chambers has been dropped by Hannay, with Siosifa Talakai listed to start at centre and Jack Williams to come in to the back row. Hamlin-Uele has been recalled to start at prop, pushing Toby Rudolf to lock. Billy Magoulias is named on the interchange bench, set to play his first game since Round 9.
For the Knights, Jayden Brailey is back to start at hooker after being rested during last weeks win against the Broncos. Lachlan Fitzgibbon is out with a shoulder injury, meaning Barnett will go back to the second row and Connor Watson will start at lock. Simi Sasagi comes onto the interchange bench.
The Knights will appreciate the 10 days rest since their last start on Thursday after being forced to play on a 4-day turnaround due to Covid-19 impacted scheduling.
This game is being played as the 2nd match of a double header Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe, potentially the future home of expansion hopefuls the Dolphins, after the QLD covid outbreak also forced the NRL to abandon plans of playing matches there in recent weeks. The locals will no doubt be out in force attending the first ever non-trial NRL game at the venue.
Last meeting: Round 6 2021 - Knights 26 Sharks 22
Who to watch: Will Kennedy has been the Sharks most threatening attacking option by far in the last two weeks. The underrated fullback scored two tries off brilliant solo efforts two weeks ago against Manly, while also making a line-break to set up and finish an 80-metre effort last week. He has the highlight plays, but he also does the fundamentals well, last week running for 229 metres off 15 runs to go with 6 tackle breaks and a try assist. Kennedy will be keen to continue his stellar end to the year to impress incoming coach Craig Fitzgibbon and assure him that he deserves a place in the 17 next year, which is probable but not guaranteed due to the signing of Storm star Nicho Hynes.
The Knights appear to have found their long term five-eighth after Jake Clifford made the mid-season switch from North Queensland. Since arriving, the Knights have gone 4-4, which may not sound all that impressive, but those 4 losses all came against top teams already set in the finals, while in their wins against teams considered more on their level , Newcastle looked a clear class above the opposition, with the exception of maybe the Warriors in monsoonal conditions. Clifford provides a clear sense of direction and complements Pearce very well. He appears to have begun shouldering the majority of the kicking duties, last week notching up 373 kick metres, 200 more than Pearce, while also making 4 tackle breaks and scoring a try. It is definitely fair to say that the halves is one area the Knights have a clear cut advantage over the Sharks.
The favourite: The Knights are favoured by 6 and a half points over the Sharks.
My tip: Last week, the Sharks laid an egg with their season on life support, and against opposition inferior to the Knights. I see no evidence to suggest there will be an improvement significant enough to overcome a Newcastle outfit hitting form at the right time of the year. Newcastle by 12.
