Round 24: Sharks v Knights preview
PointsBet Stadium will bring the curtains down on Round 24 this Sunday as the Cronulla Sharks get ready to circle the Newcastle Knights.
The last round was a crime scene at Cbus Super Stadium; the Sharks went on a feeding frenzy, leaving the Gold Coast Titans in shreds with a 44-0 demolition.
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon felt they were hanging in on most games previously, but on that night, it all came together for them. It may not have been the most attractive footy, but the simple gameplan, championed by Jack Williams, who troubled the defence with his 23 hit-ups and numerous tackle busts. Daniel Atkinson steadied the ship while Jesse Ramien and Kayal Iro terrorised the Titans lines.
Fitzgibbon seemed to play down the team's effort, saying there was still room to improve. And he'll give the same 17 men that chance, as the same side from the last round goes unchanged into the Sunday clash.
The Knights season looked to take a turn last round, even if they were playing the bottom-ranked Wests Tigers; their 34-18 win at McDonald Jones Stadium displayed a Knights outfit keen for finals. Ponga was on from the start of the game and kept the intensity and control up for the 80 minutes. Fletcher Shapre had a four-try haul, with his third try in the 39th minute is in the running for the try of the year. He volleyed a kick off his boot from the Tigers 20 meters only to place it perfectly for him to scramble to it and get the points. The Knights forwards answered the call to arms as Tyson Frizell led the charge.
Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien was pleased the team set their intentions early. O'Brien is banking on the same team to set the early pace, as only one change is logged. Dylan Lucas returns to the centres from a hamstring injury, pushing out Krystian Mapapalangi.
Last meeting: Round 26 2023 - Knights 32 Sharks 6
Who to watch: The Sharks have their own fresh-faced and lethal outside back in Samuel Stonestreet. The winger finished off two tries in the last round but has four tries from his three appearances. Daniel Atkinson shows a cool head as he stirs the ship for the Sharks. Doing the little things right, Atkinson has proved he is a sniper with the boot, which could be the difference in winning a game from what we have seen in the last few rounds of close tussles. Jack Williams was a stand-out of the pack last week, but players like Cameron McInnes and an in-form Briton Nikora were right there with him. With Thomas Hazelton and Royce Hunt to come off the bench, I'm leaning on the Sharks pack to have more bite on the night. Watch for Jesse Ramien's bullish runs to expose holes in defence.
Can Fletcher Sharpe bring the sword down again this Sunday? Kaylan Ponga says Sharpe is all about footy; the team is excited with his energy, and if Ponga can get into his rhythm early, it will be him and Sharpe who will trouble the Sharks out wide and from the sky. Tyson Frizell is in a mood, scoring three tries in the last four games. He is the barometer for the forward pack, and the team will rally off his efforts. The Phoenix Crossland/ Tyson Gamble experiment seems to be working for O'Brien at the moment, and he sees no need for it to change. Hopefully, Dane Gagai can bring some more of that charm he had last round, drawing in players to expose room for his charging wingers.
FAVOURITE: The Sharks are looking good for this one. They had a dominating performance last round, winning three of their last games against the Knights and having lost to the Knights at Shark Park since 2014, which points towards the shark flags being raised.
MY TIP: This doesn't look like it will be an easy fight for the Knights, and the Sharks will be keen to back up their win last week to stay in the top four. Fitzgibbons looked quietly confident his team was tightening up at the right time for the business end of the season. The Knights played well but will be coming up against a different monster, and the Sharks attacks will greatly test their defensive armour. Newcastle to put up a fight, but -
