The Cronulla Sharks will travel to Allianz Stadium tonight to take on the Sydney Roosters in an enticing Monday Night Football clash.
After recording a 26-10 victory over Penrith Panthers in their last start, the Cronulla Sharks will be looking to continue their rich run of form against a Roosters side currently sitting in 15th place.
The Sharks will welcome back State of Origin heroes Paul Gallen, James Maloney, Wade Graham and Jack Bird after Wednesday’s final match of the series who are all in good health agead of tonight’s match.
Andrew Fifita will miss tonight’s match though after being suspended for a week after a contrary conduct charge resulting from Wednesday’s match at ANZ Stadium.
Shane Flanagan said that he will be hoping for a big performance from his side and that they won’t be taking the Roosters lightly.
“We’re in pretty good shape,” said Flanagan.
“We’ve come out of Origin and those players haven’t got too many niggles and I’d rest them if they needed something to fix up but as I said, we worry about ourselves and not compare ourselves too much to other teams.
Given the Roosters’ position on the 2016 NRL table, Flanagan admits he understands where the Bondi side is at the moment however hopes his side bring the same intensity they have in recent times against the tri-colours.
“I agree that where the Roosters are, we’ve been before and it’s a bit of a role reversal on Monday night but we need to make sure we go in with the same intensity and attitude as when we’ve played them before.
Flanagan also highlighted that play-maker Mitchell Pierce’s form in 2016 has been key to the Roosters’ ability to compete in matches this season.
“I thought not last week but the week before that his efforts were outstanding.
“The amount of touches he’s had in the game, his speed across the ground, his kicking was outstanding.
“It was the performance of the week for me so we need to be on our game for Mitchell because if he gets that team rolling forward and he plays off the back of those big forwards, he’s hard to handle.”
Tonight's opponent's will be looking to record their fourth victory in 2016 after going down 22-18 in their last start when they took on the Parramatta Eels.
Head-to-head
Played: 89, Sydney Roosters 56, Cronulla 31, Drawn 2.
At Allianz Stadium
Played 22, Sydney Roosters 13, Cronulla 9
Last Time We Met
Cronulla def. Sydney Roosters 10-4, Round 13, 2015.
Last Five Meetings
- Round 13, 2015: Sharks 10 def. Roosters 4 @ Remondis Stadium
- Round 5, 2015: Sharks 20 def. Roosters 12 @ Allianz Stadium
- Round 17, 2014: Sharks 30 def. Roosters 28 @ Allianza Stadium
- Round 7, 2014: Roosters 24 def. Sharks 18 @ Remondis Stadium
- Round 24, 2013: Sharks 32 def. Roosters 22 @ Remondis Stadium
CrownBet Odds*
Head to Head: Roosters ($2.56), Sharks ($1.53)
Line: Roosters +4.5 (1.92), Sharks -4.5 (1.92)
First Try Scorer: Valentine Holmes ($8.00), Ben Barba ($10.00), Daneil Tupou ($11).
*Odds quoted 13:00, 18/07/2016. For current odds, click HERE.
