Round 11: Sharks v Roosters preview
In form Sharks and Roosters to meet in clash of frontrunners
It's a Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks home game this Saturday evening which will see them face up against the Sydney Roosters smack in the middle of Brisbane's Magic Round. Both clubs are heading into the weekend playing great footy and this is shaping up to be a consequential clash for the remainder of the season. With the Sharks still at the top of the table having not lost since round three, it will be a tough job for the Roosters to beat them. But the Roosters have been trundling along nicely as well, sitting in 5th with three 20+ point wins in a row.
The Sharks are coming off a gritty win against a highly-fancied Melbourne Storm side, proving themselves as a serious threat to the premiership title in 2024. With scores level at 12 at the break, a 74th minute try to Siosifa Talakai sealed the win for Cronullla-Sutherland, and a prior field goal to Daniel Atkinson saw the final score sit at 25-18. They did this without star halfback Nicho Hynes, and it was also their first win in Melbourne in six years. The victory is definitely a confidence-boosting one, so Craig Fitzgibbon will be trying to carry that energy into the game this weekend.
In great news for Sharks fans, Nicho Hynes has been named to return to the side following his calf tightness last week. His return to the number seven jersey sees Blayke Brailey return to his hooker role, with Jack Williams heading back to the interchange and McGuiness to lock. Braden Hamlin-Uele is nowhere to be seen in the NRL 22.
The Sydney Roosters got out to a flying start against the Warriors, putting four tries on the board by the twelfth minute. Despite not being able to add to that lead until the second half, they closed out the game with experience, finishing 38-18 winners on home turf. It is their third win in a row that they have held their opponents to 18 points - a stat not too impressive in itself, but more the fact that they have been winning consistently by large margins despite their opponents putting 18 on the board.
With Joey Manu out due to HIA protocols, former Tiger Junior Pauga will start in the centres. Brandon Smith is back in the number nine jersey after missing last round with a calf injury, forcing Connor Watson to the bench. Sandon Smith has been suspended for dangerous contact on an opposition kicker.
Last meeting: Finals Week 1 2023 - Sharks 12 Roosters 13
Who to watch: Italian international Daniel Atkinson will partner Nicho Hynes in the halves for the Sharks this weekend. It will be his 4th game in a row in the number six jersey following five-eighth Braydon Trindall's standing down. However Tuesday's team lists have seen Trindall return to the squad, being named amongst the reserves, leading to speculation that he may be a late inclusion in the 17, possibly in place of Atkinson. If Daniel Atkinson does take to the field on Saturday, he will be keen to make sure to show his coach why he deserves to keep the position despite Trindall's return to the NRL fold.
Connor Watson has been providing plenty of utility value to the Roosters since returning to the club in 2022. Watson spent three seasons with Newcastle after beginning his first grade career at Easts back in 2016, and he has also played for the Wyong Roos back when they were a NSW Cup feeder club for the Roosters. Watson has started in the halves, at lock, and at hooker for the Roosters - and that's just in the past month. This weekend Watson will be looking to make an impact off the bench, playing a different role to his near or complete 80 minute performances from the past few rounds.
Favourite: Despite the Sharks being on a six game winning streak, the Roosters are the comfortable favourites to beat Cronulla-Sutherland.
My tip: Both teams are in good form but I think the Sharks are still being underrated by most - they could really push for the premiership this season. Cronulla by 4.
