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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Canberra Raiders Sunday 4:05pm at Sharks Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal

Regular season comes to a close with a bang

Shark Park plays host to the final game of the 2023 regular season, with the Cronulla Sharks and the Canberra Raiders facing off on Sunday afternoon. With both clubs level on competition points, this game is critical to the make-up of next week's elimination finals. A home final is guaranteed for the winner, whilst the loser may find themselves dangerously close to dropping out of the eight entirely, depending on the other results across the weekend.

Cronulla will be very disappointed with their performance last week. Away in Newcastle, they were thrashed 32-6 by the Knights in what was a very important game for the finals make-up. Worryingly, they went scoreless in the second half, letting Newcastle put on 26 unanswered points. Now they head into the final round not entirely certain of their position in the eight, although some very odd results would be needed to see the Sharks miss the finals. 

Nicho Hynes is a massive in for Cronulla, after missing their game last week through injury. He will pair up with Braydon Trindall in the halves, pushing Matt Moylan onto the bench. In a week with many odd team lists up and down the coast, the Sharks have relatively little changes.

The Canberra Raiders were in the top four just two months ago, but some careless losses have seen them drop down to seventh with one game remaining. Last week the Raiders put up a decent fight against the likely minor premiers Brisbane, going down 29-18 at home. Like the Sharks, they went tryless in their second half, letting an 18-16 lead get away from them. They'll be desperate to get back in front of their home crowd for an elimination final next week.

Josh Papalii is out for the remainder of the season, so Hohepa Puru looks set to make his NRL debut off the bench. Corey Horsburgh has been found guilty at the NRL judiciary, and thus has been served a four game suspension for his shoulder charge. He was named at lock when team lists were released on Tuesday, so a late change will be required for the Raiders.

This is the second meeting between these two sides in 2023, with the Raiders prevailing 24-20 all the way back in round three. 

Last meeting: Round 3 2023 - Raiders 24 Sharks 20

Who to watch: A versatile back, 27 year old Connor Tracey has been handed the fullback jersey for the past month or so for the Sharks, and he looks set to hold that position into the finals series. Taking the number one spot due to William Kennedy suffering a torn hamstring, Tracey has made just eight NRL appearances this year, with half of those at centre/wing. He will have to be able to handle the pressure if the Sharks are to get back into the winners' circle, especially since Kennedy may not return this season.

Panthers junior Hohepa Puru is set to make his NRL debut off the bench this weekend for Canberra. Having joined the club at the start of the season after captaining the 2022 Panthers Jersey Flegg side to a premiership, Puru slotted straight into the starting forward pack in NSW Cup. Playing at lock, he has been a consistently strong performer throughout the season, even when shifted to hooker or into the halves. He regularly plays eighty minute games, and Raiders fans should be eager to see what he can serve up on the big stage this Sunday.

Favourite: The Cronulla Sharks are the favourites by a significant margin heading into this match. 

My tip:  Cronulla have been known to go missing in big games, and in front of their home crowd I could see them squandering a chance to play there again the following week. Canberra by 8.

1. Connor Tracey 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 20. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Kayal Iro

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Sebastian Kris 3. Jack Wighton 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Nick Cotric 6. Matt Frawley 7. Jamal Fogarty 15. Ata Mariota 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 17. Hohepa Puru 8. Emre Guler 14. Tom Starling 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Trey Mooney 19. Albert Hopoate

Referees: Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: David Munro, Wyatt Raymond; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;