Finals Week 1: Sharks v Roosters preview
Winner takes all in elimination blockbuster
The NRL's first elimination final sees two clubs with mixed seasons go head-to-head at Sydney's most over-crowded construction site… sorry PointsBet Stadium when the Cronulla Sharks play host to the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night. Yes, it's a Roosters fan previewing a Roosters final, but I promise it'll be as balanced as possible.
For Cronulla it's been a year of what could've been. After a strong start to the year, a mid-season skid saw their finals chances in jeopardy. However, after a 28-0 shellacking at the hands of Penrith, it's just what the doctor ordered with the home side rebounding nicely winning four of their last five matches to secure a home final.
Braydon Trindall's inclusion to 5/8 has been a nice compliment to Nicho Hynes' free wielding spirit allowing him to run more and control the attacking third. Their starting forward I am yet to be convinced on but the impact Jack Williams, Tom Hazleton and Royce Hunt bring is immense and an earlier injection against a Roosters pack who don't rotate their forwards until late in the first half could be a vital moment in the Sharks season. To beat the Roosters, they need to dominate up front early and allow Hynes and Trindall to dictate terms. This Roosters side is different to the one we've seen most of the season so it's vital that they get on top early and refuse to give them a sniff.
On the team front. It'll be a similar looking side today! Will Kennedy looks set to return from a hamstring injury after being listed among the reserves. Connor Tracey played five games at fullback in Kennedy's absence but suffered a knee injury against the Raiders and looks unlikely to be available.
For the Roosters… Even in their worst season in close to a decade. The club has again qualified for the finals. It's not been a great season by most people's assessments (yes even my own) but they have qualified on merit as opposed to the viewpoint of some media scribes out there. The wheel turned after their Round 20 loss to Melbourne, with troops returning and a more consistent vibe in their 17, the Roosters have dropped just one match since that point eliminating teams such as Manly and Souths from the playoffs on their way.
Looking at what's changed. Lindsay Collins has stepped up in the absence of Jared Waerea-Hargraves while Siua Wong has given the Roosters added spark on the right edge while Victor Radley did what many thought was impossible by staying calm and NOT losing control against the Rabbitohs (yes trust me it's a shocking revelation). The backs deserve flowers of their own with Billy Smith, Junior Pauga and Joseph Suaalii starring in the run home as well as James Tedesco and Luke Keary complementing each-other given the inclusion of energiser bunny Sam Walker. Terrell May has been a find on the bench for the Roosters producing some monster efforts off the pine in recent weeks. To beat Cronulla, they need to control early possession, eliminate the threat of Hynes and force the back 5 to get to work. With the ball in the red-zone targeting the vulnerable Sharks left edge is a must for the boys from Bondi.
On the team front, Daniel Tupou is still unavailable. Pauga deputises for him. Joey Manu is named and ready to go, but Corey Allan is on stand-by. Fletcher Baker starts for Egan Butcher who reverts into an impact bench spot.
Last meeting: Round 7 2023 - Sharks 22 Roosters 12
Who to watch: For the home side, the focus is on Nicho Hynes. The Sharks will be looking to atone for last year's embarrassing straight sets exit after finishing second. On Hynes' own admission, the Sharks were embarrassing in the finals last season and given his form in the mini revival to finish the year, it's set to be a redemption arc that the Sharks need. Hynes delivered his side a home final in brutal fashion with a season high four try assists coming at a critical point. With the way he tore the Roosters to shreds in the second half in Round 7, it could be the man to deliver the Sharks a week 2 finals birth.
For the Roosters, my focus spreads onto Sam Walker. In what's been the most troubling year of his young NRL career to date, Walker was dropped after 7 rounds due to a lack of game management and poor form. An untimely knee injury after showing good form in NSW Cup saw him sidelined for an extended period before returning via North Sydney's NSW Cup side saw him re-included with two rounds to go. Since then, he hasn't turned back, a great performance against Souths saw him manage the game perfectly, justifying Trent Robinson's decision to drop him in the first place. With Walker shining and giving the Roosters a much needed finals appearance. He appears the man to get the Chooks past Cronulla.
Favourite: The Roosters are narrow favourites on account of their recent form.
My tip: This game is the hardest of the week to tip. Both sides are extremely ill-disciplined at times. Which you wouldn't have guessed after Grant Atkins gave a 14-4 penalty count against the Roosters last time they played. Fortunately, that wont happen this time. Both sides are in good form and can play enterprising footy. But, I see the Roosters with just enough star power to run away with victory in the end. Roosters by 6.
