Match Centre

Round 22: Wests Tigers v Sharks preview

Well-positioned Cronulla travel to Tamworth to meet Tigers

The Wests Tigers and the Cronulla Sharks will clash for the second time this year as the regular season finish-line nears. The two sides are in quite contrasting positions with just a handful of rounds remaining, but both teams have plenty to play for this Saturday. For the Sharks, a home qualifying final is not out of the question, but they should be wary of the multitude of teams fighting for their spot in the top 4 just behind them. Meanwhile, the Tigers will do anything to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.

Wests Tigers have decided to take their home game to Scully Park, Tamworth, this Saturday evening. The team haven't played in Tamworth since 2019 due to Covid-19, and Tamworth has been starved of NRL action since the Warriors hosted the Knights there two years ago. The club are running a number of community events in the lead up to the match as they hope to continue to build the club's strong fan base in Tamworth. A win would certainly reward the fans that cheer them on at Scully Park this weekend. In one of the toughest seasons in years for the Wests Tigers, a glimmer of hope seemed to emerge. The announcement of a coaching succession plan, followed by some very strong performances against top 4 sides Cowboys and Broncos, could've been interpreted as the beginning of a new, better era, by the most optimistic of Tigers fans. But the team that hasn't made the finals since 2011 continued to showcase their struggles with consistency, performing terribly in the first half against the struggling Knights last weekend, and not being able to recover, going down 14-10.

With Jackson Hastings and Luke Brooks out of the equation for the remainder of the season, Brett Kimmorley (and, undoubtedly, Tim Sheens) have decided to play a Doueihi/Madden halves pairing. What Madden lacks in first grade experience, he makes up with in talent, however it's been reported that the Tigers are not interested in him long term. There are also question marks over Luke Brook's and Jackson Hasting's futures at the club. Whatever the long term solution is, the pressure will be on Madden this weekend, as he fights for a contract. With Ken Maumalo out following his injury last weekend, the newly re-signed Starford To'a shifts out to the wing, allowing James Roberts to make his return to first grade in the centres. Zane Musgrove has grabbed a starting position, with Joe Ofahengaue moving to lock and young gun Fonua Pole falling back to the bench. Luke Garner can't find a spot in the side, being named on Tuesday as the Tigers 18th man.

Despite sitting third on the ladder, the Cronulla Sharks are anything but in cruise control. Last week they met the Dragons in a tough battle, but they managed to hold to be six point victors. Down 18-12 early in the second half, the Sharks showed some grit to overcome the sin-binning of Blayke Brailey, and claw their way to a win. But it was most certainly not the performance that is expected when a top side plays a struggling team, although the performance could perhaps be put down to a tough run of matches in the past month. Another factor against the Sharks is the injury of their fullback Will Kennedy. Kade Dykes, the third generation of the Dykes family to play for Cronulla, made his NRL debut at fullback last week, and he has been named to keep that role this weekend. Rugby 7s convert Lachlan Miller takes Connor Tracey's spot on the wing, while Dale Finucane returns from suspension and relegates Cameron McInnes to the bench.

After the Tigers, the Sharks face Manly, Canterbury, and Newcastle in a very favourable run home. With just two points sitting between them and second place, Cronulla will be hopeful of chasing down the Cowboys and winning their loyal fans a home qualifying final. Their derby against the Dragons at Shark Park last week was sold out, a sure sign of a successful season for the club.

The last time these two teams met was back in round five, and it was a very one sided affair. The Sharks ran out 26 point victors at home in a game marred by a number of field invasions. The Tigers will be seeking revenge, and they will be hopeful of springing a surprise attack. The last time the Tigers played at Tamworth they recorded a strong victory over the Gold Coast.

Last meeting: Round 5 2022 - Sharks 30 Wests Tigers 4

Who to watch: Austin Dias has been named to make his third straight NRL appearance this weekend. Named on the bench yet again, Dias has been granted this opportunity in the first grade largely thanks to a big list of injured Tigers forwards. Despite sitting on the bench last week, Dias received zero minutes, and he got only the four minutes the week prior. If Kimmorley does give him a proper chance to prove himself this Saturday, Dias will be keen to grab it with both hands.

After receiving a controversial three week suspension for his contact on Stephen Crichton, Sharks lock Dale Finucane will return to the NRL this weekend. The former Melbourne and Canterbury forward joined Cronulla at the beginning of the season, with the thirty year old playing the majority of his games at lock, along with a handful at prop and off the bench. Finucane has never had a season in which his team has won less than 50% of matches, and having played in six grand finals over the course of his ten year career, Finucane is a valuable and experienced member of Cronulla's pack.

The favourite: Cronulla Sharks are the overwhelming favourites heading into this clash.

My tip: While you never quite know what the Tigers are going to throw at their opposition, I can't see them getting up after such a disappointing performance last time out. Sharks by 20.