Round 25: Dragons v Sharks preview
Top eight spot on the line as Sharks circle top 4 security
The St George Illawarra Dragons will be looking to feel secure inside the NRL top eight when they take on arch rivals Cronulla in what is billed as the match of the round from WIN Stadium.
St George Illawarra have been the NRL's surprise packet in 2024, after being predicted by most (including yours truly) as being certain wooden spooners. The Dragons have completed quite the rebuild under new coach Shane Flanagan. Despite a shaky start against the Titans last weekend, Flanagan's side was able to bounce back despite the early setback and complete the job and climb up into eighth position. Defensively, they had to do a lot of work in the second half and they were able to do that to secure victory.
To beat the Sharks, it will take an improved showing on last week's effort. Despite winning, they had to do so much unnecessary work without the football as they were running into a gale in that second half. An even share of the football should be enough to make the game competitive. Out wide, the Sharks outside backs have done incredible work coming out of their own end, so expect a point of emphasis to limit the work guys like Katoa, Ramien, Iro do out of yardage. Execution will also need to improve if they want to taste victory in this clash.
Onto team news, the Dragons are still without the services of Kyle Flanagan following his suspension for biting. Jack Bird who did an admirable job and scrambled magnificently will keep his six jersey. --Ray Faitala-Mariner returns to the bench for Lykian King-Togia.
Cronulla had a brilliant win over Newcastle in golden point last Sunday, they were low on troops and had every reason to lose a game of football. But, they stuck to their processes and managed to find a way to win. Dan Atkinson had a terrific game, leading his team brilliantly around the park and again showing his case to partner Nicho Hynes for the conduct of the semi-finals.
To beat the Dragons, they need to frustrate the Dragons in attack like other teams in the top four (Melbourne excluded of course). If they can create early chances and get into the Dragons heads, then this will be over relatively quickly. Their forwards need to lift too, Oregon Kaufusi had his best game as a Shark last weekend, but he needs his supporting cast to lift with him.
Team news time, Braydon Trindall is back on deck at halfback which means Blayke Brailey returns to hooker and Cameron McInnes to lock. Kayal Iro returns at centre after missing last week due to illness while forwards Teig Wilton (hamstring) and Tom Hazelton (illness) are also back on deck. Winger Sione Katoa is replaced by Sam Stonestreet. A new-look bench includes Jack Williams and Royce Hunt, who started the game last week, with Billy Burns and Tuku Hau Tapuha dropping to the reserves.
Last meeting: Round 9 2024 - Sharks 20 Dragons 10
Who to watch: For the Dragons, the focus remains on Tyrell Sloan. Sloan has had a troubled season but ever since Shane Flanagan gave him a demotion to the KOE NSW Cup, he has delivered in spades. Most impressive, his defensive mindset. Sloan made a number of critical tackles on the weekend and got himself involved, something he wasn't doing prior to the bye weekend.
Let's put the blowtorch on Blayke Brailey. Sharks supporters have an on again, off again relationship with Brailey. Some weeks he is to blame for everything Cronulla does wrong, other weeks, he is the hero and saviour. Brailey needs to continue to become creative out of dummy half, something that has been lacking with only 11 assists (try or linebreak) this season. If the Sharks are going to figure prominently in September, Brailey needs to continue to improve with ball in hand.
FAVOURITE: Cronulla are the favourites here but have had a difficult record at WIN Stadium, only winning three of nine at this stadium. They have won the last two clashes at this venue though.
MY TIP: I don't see a world in which Cronulla loses this game, they need to keep winning in order to keep pace with the Roosters to avoid a trip to Melbourne. The Dragons will compete for the entirety of the contest, but they will just fall short in my view. Sharks by 12.
