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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Newcastle Knights Friday 6:00pm at Sharks Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal

Sharks host Knights in a battle of the competition's most improved

Cronulla return to PointsBet Stadium on Friday when they host Newcastle in the Shire for the first time since 2018.

Coming off a convincing 36-12 win over the Dragons, Craig Fitzgibbon now has the chance to register his first hat-trick of wins as an NRL coach and with three of their next four games at home, the Sharks are circling top-four permanency.

Backrower Siosifa Talakai's shift to centre in place of the injured Connor Tracey this week is the only downside in what has been a memorable fortnight for the Sharks.

But with two wins of their own from the opening three rounds, the resurgent Knights will be anything but an easy scalp. Having already clipped the Roosters' wings and tamed the Tigers, last Saturday in Bathurst, Newcastle had the Panthers in their sights until a Mitch Barnett brain explosion eight minutes before halftime.

Despite the one man advantage, Penrith only skipped clear in the closing stages. Adam O'Brien made a point of praising his side's effort and it showed why alongside Cronulla, they're one of the most improved sides in the competition.

If the gaping leak in Sydney's sky can be plugged, then behind two form packs on a fast track, the class of Nicho Hynes and Dane Gagai should shine through. Neck and neck in the race for buy of the season, Hynes' move to halfback has straightened the Sharks' attack, while Newcastle's defense is much steelier for Gagai's return.

Even with the suspended Barnett serving time in the naughty corner, O'Brien's side will be stronger for the return of Kalyn Ponga as they look to extend their recent dominance over Cronulla to five consecutive victories.

Not that Sharks fans should be deterred, three of those contests took place in Newcastle while the most recent was decided by just two points in Brisbane. But it's at Shark Park where the locals hold the upper hand having won the last four encounters.

And with the battling Tigers next on the list, a win for the Sharks in what doubles as Aiden Tolman's 300th NRL appearance should quickly become four straight.

While for the Knights, an upset on the road would be the perfect celebration for Tyson Frizell's 200th in the top grade before they return home for a Round 5 clash with Manly.

Last meeting: Round 22 2021 - Sharks 14 Knights 16

Who to watch: Nicho Hynes' transition from Melbourne to Cronulla is textbook seamless. A late bloomer at 25, the one-time Storm fullback is now among the better playmakers in the NRL. Blessed with powerful hips, the halfback already has 10 tackle busts in the first three rounds, but it's his crisp passing in front of the receiver that sets his team on the front foot.

Sharkies fans have probably seen enough of Kalyn Ponga already. With five tries in his last three hitouts against Cronulla including a hat-trick in 2020, there's no other club the free spirited No.1 has scored more against.

The favourite: Newcastle are flying under the radar in this one. The money mobs have sided with Cronulla as the short priced favourite.

My tip: If I'm to be honest, my choices of late have been flakier than Ryan Papenhuyzen's golden tips. So maybe it's time to take the bookies advice. The home ground advantage alone should decide this one. Sharks by 6.

1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Aiden Tolman 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Braydon Trindall 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Luke Metcalf

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jake Clifford 7. Adam Clune 16. Leo Thompson 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Kurt Mann 14. Jacob Saifiti 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jirah Momoisea 17. Sauaso Sue 18. Simi Sasagi

Referees: Ben Cummins; Sideline Officials: Darian Furner, Nick Beashel; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy;