Sharks v Tigers - Match Preview

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Sat 9 Jun 2018, 02:01 PM

After six successful weeks in a row, last Friday night was a stumble, however the Sharks will look to get back in the saddle and return to the winner's circle when they face the Wests Tigers on Sunday afternoon.

It was a tough night at ANZ Stadium, with Souths gaining the early momentum and going on with the job in the second half, however there was no time to dwell on such a performance, with the Tigers sure to present a considerable challenge at Southern Cross Group Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

As explained by coach Shane Flanagan, it is no time for panic stations, with the Sharks looking forward, not back and ready for what Sunday might bring.

"We didn't change anything, we've just moved on," Flanagan said when asked if he altered preparations for the Tigers clash. "They got a few days off and should be fresh and ready to go.

"We need to make sure we do what we do best. Winning the footy game, at home, is important to us," he added.

One player who was building into a rich vein of form, was Matt Moylan, with his six-try assists against the Knights his most complete performance of the 2018 season.

Last week against Souths, for the five eighth and his Sharks teammates, things just didn't go their way, with the loss coming in Moylan's 100th NRL game.

"It wasn't the result we wanted as a team, so hopefully 101 is better than 100," Moylan said.

"We need a win this week and to bounce back. The Tigers are playing some good footy so we need to be ready for them."

Typifying the Tigers this season has been their wholehearted defensive efforts, and when coupled with the guile and direction provided by halves Luke Brooks and Benji Marshall and it makes them a dangerous proposition.

"They compete really hard, scramble really hard, play with a lot of enthusiasm, they are a dangerous footy team. It they get their noses in front, they're hard to pull back," Flanagan said.

As for the halves pairing, both Moylan and Flanagan realise they need to be contained and controlled if the Sharks hope to come out on top.

"They're pretty creative players. They've been playing well. Linking up well together. We're expecting ball movement, they've been testing sides out laterally and we need to be ready for that," Moylan said.

While Flanagan added; "Benji's playing well, he's got a lot of tricks to his game. Both halves have a really good kicking game. But like any footy game, we need to get on top of their forwards."

However while the Sharks possess a number of weapons, so to do the Sharks, with Wade Graham certain to be out to put his name in the Origin picture for games two and three, while Valentine Holmes will want to bounce back after the Queensland loss on Wednesday night.

Graham, who left the field in the first half of the Souths game due to a concussion, has passed all his protocols and tests and is fit to take his place in the side, with Holmes given a clean bill of health after the Origin series opener.

Holmes shifts to the fullback role in the absence of Josh Dugan, after doing an admirable job at the back last week, Edrick Lee goes back to his more familiar position on the wing.

The Sharks will also be keen to get plenty of ball to in-form centre Jesse Ramien, who this week plays inside exciting youngster Sione Katoa on the right hand side in attack.

Sunday at Southern Cross Group Stadium will also represent Member's Round, with a number of initiatives and celebrations planned to show appreciation for the Sharks loyal 2018 members.

The Make Bullying History Foundation is the Sharks Have Heart Community game day partner.

The game against the Tigers I scheduled for a 2.00pm kick-off, with the curtain-raiser to feature a local Junior League senior A Grade fixture between De La Salle and Kurnell. That match gets underway at 11.35am, with gates to the stadium opening at 11.30am.

The Sharks have trimmed their team from 21 to 19, with the squad listed below. Scott Sorensen and Sosaia Feki come out of the previously selected Sharks side. The 17-man team to play the Tigers will be confirmed one hour before kick-off.

Also below are some of the statistics from matches between the two clubs.

NRL Team List – Round 14
Sharks v Tigers
Sunday, June 10
Southern Cross Group Stadium
Kick-off – 2.00pm
1- Valentine Holmes
2- Sione Katoa
3- Jesse Ramien
4- Ricky Leutele
5- Edrick Lee
6- Matt Moylan
7- Chad Townsend
8- Andrew Fifita
9- Jayden Brailey
10- Matt Prior
11- Luke Lewis
12- Wade Graham
13- Paul Gallen
Interchange
14- Joseph Paulo
15- James Segeyaro
16- Jack Williams
17- Jayson Bukuya
18- Kurt Capewell
19- Ava Seumanfagai