Round 26: Sharks v Warriors preview: SJ's Last Dance
The storied NRL career of Shaun Johnson draws to a close in a symbolic way this Saturday night when his Warriors travel to the shire to play his former club Cronulla at Shark Park.
Saturday night will close the curtain on one of the NRL's storied careers. One of the most electric players with ball in hand, a player that inspired so many across the Tasman to play rugby league. Shaun Johnson farewells rugby league with so many memories, none more so than last season where he booted a game winning penalty goal to defeat the Sharks in a memorable come from behind victory.
2024 hasn't been the season that "Wahs Nation" had been hoping for. Throw in inconsistent play, injuries and some unfavourable officiating calls, and it's been a season that Andrew Webster would rather forget. They do have an opportunity to make Cronulla's life difficult as September draws closer and finals football gets underway, they need to dictate terms from the outset, take on Cronulla's pack and win the middle of the field. They also need to have an on-point kicking game to eliminate the threat of Cronulla's back five coming out of their own end.
Onto team news, Taine Tuapiki is the new fullback with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad moving to the centres to replace Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (concussion protocols). Ali Leiataua also comes in at centre with Adam Pompey (knee) gone for the season. Tom Ale has been added to the bench and Chanel Harris-Tavita is listed as 18th man.
Cronulla have made the jump to third spot, which means that if they continue to win out, they will avoid a road-trip to Melbourne for the first week of the finals. However, the challenge is tough this time around as they are taking on a Warriors side that will be keen to put one final hurrah together to send SJ off into the sunset.
To win, they need to go back all the way to Round 1. They were slow out of the blocks allowing the Warriors to go to an early 12-0 lead. Although they came from behind to win that game, they need to start strong and blow the fire out of the Warriors candle from the outset. They have been winning in strong fashion lately, with a style of play that punishes mistakes and takes advantage of field position. Blayke Brailey has had some amazing performances at a critical point of his career, while Kayal Iro continues to press his claims for Rookie of the Year honours with an incredible season.
Onto team news, yes, he MAY be back. Nicho Hynes has been named in the reserves and as long as he gets through all training, he will line up against the Warriors. Sione Katoa returns from concussion protocols, but Ronaldo Mulitalo remains sidelined with a knee injury. Centre Siosifa Talakai is back from a calf injury, filling the void left by Jesse Ramien (suspended).
Last meeting: Round 1 2024 - Warriors 12 Sharks 16
Who to watch: I am going to focus on Kayal Iro for a moment. It is hard to believe that after debuting in 2022 and winning that season's NSW Cup player of the year, it took Iro another 15 months to play first grade again. But since that moment, Iro has been one of the finds for the Sharks this season. Playing a key part of his side's yardage game, Iro has averaged over 160 metres a game, defended well and created havoc on the left edge. Expect Iro to be on the warpath against his junior club this evening.
For the Warriors, there is still spots up for grabs for 2025. Some of those spots will be in the halves. Luke Metcalf has a strong case to say he should be the man. But, for me he needs a statement game heading into the offseason just to confirm what we all suspect will occur. He is such a livewire with the football but needs to take the game by the scruff of the neck for the full 80 minutes, it was a strong first half last week, but it fell away in the second.
FAVOURITE: Sharks are strong favourites for this one. They have won four of their last five at home against the Warriors.
MY TIP: I like the Sharks at home for this one. I do have a hunch though that the Warriors will play strongly for SJ's last dance.Sharks by 8.
