Sharks v Titans preview

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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Gold Coast Titans Saturday 5:30pm at Ocean Protect Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal

Master v Apprentice as Sharks look to take a bite out of revamped Titans

Craig Fitzgibbon takes on his old prodigy in Josh Hannay as the Sharks host the Titans to kickstart Super Saturday in 2026 from the re-named Ocean Protect Stadium (Shark Park).

Cronulla finished last year just a game shy of the grand final for the second successive campaign. The side has also been largely unaffected with only Dan Atkinson departing from their regular core of first graders last season. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon knows the squad will see significant turnover next season, so it's the last chance as such to send this core of players out as premiership heroes.

It is a strong squad with a halves combination that finally seems to have found the balance with Trindall as the organiser and Nicho Hynes playing an off the cuff brand of footy that saw him claim the 2022 Dally M Medal. They have an unheralded pack of forwards with the only question being who will step up and run alongside Addin Fonua-Blake this season, far too often the other forwards were being carried by him. Elsewhere, can Blayke Brailey continue the form that made him the form 9 of the competition last year.

Onto team news and thankfully the Sharks are largely unscathed. Sione Katoa has overcome an abductor injury that saw his trial against Canberra end abruptly. Elsewhere, Teig Wilton has not overcome injury and Billy Burns will start on the edge. The expanded bench sees Hohepa Puru and Chris Vea'ila join the usual four forward rotation Cronulla utilised last season.

For the Titans, they have another ‘new era' at the club with Josh Hannay taking over the reigns. He has had previous interim runs at the Cowboys and Sharks but this is the first time he is able to put his stamp on a roster for the long haul. He has passed his first major tests with Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Cooper Bai agreeing to remain at the club.

Onto their side and they trialled really well. Gold Coast played an expansive style of football that made them an exciting side to watch. A lot of eyes will be on the new look spine with Keano Kini looking like he is back to his best after a neck injury sidelined him last season. Elsewhere, their pack of forwards remains intact (mostly) with the only major blow being Jaimin Jolliffe's torn ACL.

In team news, there's an early blow for Hannay with Jayden Campbell battling a hamstring injury, missing the next two-to-four weeks. New signing Lachlan Ilias will get a chance to prove Shane Flanagan wrong when he gets an early run at halfback. Elsewhere, there's an NRL debut for Siaele Faeamani while Arama Hau gets the first chance on the vacant right edge.

Last meeting: Round 24 2025 - Sharks 54 Titans 22

Who to watch: It's hard to go past Nicho Hynes for the Sharks. Hynes has had a noticeable role change over the summer with an emphasis on running the ball more. Hynes himself declared that he has "put on muscle" this pre-season and will look to tire out the new Titans edges and take advantage of open space.

Onto the Titans and the focus is going on Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. Having secured his future at the club in a terrific coup for the NRL. Fa'asuamaleaui will be looking to dominate every pack he goes up against this season. Expect his physical battle with Addin Fonua-Blake to be a highlight of the opening exchanges. His ability to offload and tire out the Sharks forwards especially with the speed of Kini and Brimson could cause significant problems for the Sharks.

Favourite: Cronulla go into this clash as favourites against the new-look Titans side. The Gold Coast have not won at Shark Park since 2017.

MY TIP: The Sharks will be looking to prove themselves to be premiership contenders from the outset. Meanwhile, the Titans will be looking to prove to the NRL world that they are not here to make up the numbers so expect a tight contest between two sides with the side that gets their attack right the quickest to come away with the victory in this contest. Cronulla by 6.

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Chris Veaila 20. Jayden Berrell

1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Max Feagai 5. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Tukimihia Simpkins 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Zane Harrison 20. Jaylan De Groot

Referees: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski; Sideline Officials: Dave Munro, Matt Noyen; Video Referees: Grant Atkins;