With just five days to dust off and get ready to go again it was straight back to work for the Sharks following their thrilling last-minute win over the Eels on Saturday.
The Sharks completed a review of their performance on Sunday, a day to rest and recover on Monday, then it was back to work today in preparation for the local derby against a St George Illawarra team which has been impressive in registering a win, then a narrow loss to the 2021 premiers the Panthers last weekend.
Suspension and injury have forced two changes to the Sharks side to face the Dragons, with Teig Wilton accepting an early plea and taking a one match ban for a tackle on Mitch Moses which was deemed by the match review to be dangerous contact.
In his place comes Siosifa Talakai, with the rampaging backrower putting in a strong performance in the win over the Eels.
Also missing on Thursday night will be Ronaldo Mulitalo who with the short turnaround hasn’t had time to complete the NRL concussion protocols in time to take his place in the Sharks team. In his place comes the extremely capable Matt Ikuvalu.
While with Talakai moving from the bench to the starting side, Braydon Trindall returns from a two-match suspension and has been added to the Sharks 17.
The Sharks v Dragons match is scheduled for an 8pm kick off at WIN Stadium on Thursday night.
Match: Dragons v Sharks
Round 3 -
home Team
Dragons
14th Position
away Team
Sharks
3rd Position
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
1. WILL KENNEDY - Sponsored by Puppi Lovers
2. SIONE KATOA - Sponsored by Ressler Property
3. JESSE RAMIEN - Sponsored by Pretty In Paint
4. CONNOR TRACEY - Sponsored by Infrastructure Nation
5. MATT IKUVALU - Sponsored by Foreshew Strata Agency
6. MATT MOYLAN - Sponsored by Hollywood Cake Decorations
7. NICHO HYNES - Sponsored by John Ryan Freight Management
8. TOBY RUDOLF – Sponsored by Sharp Extensive IT
9. BLAYKE BRAILEY - Sponsored by Elite Legal
10. BRADEN HAMLIN-UELE – Sponsored by Modular Walls
11. BRITON NIKORA – Sponsored by Guardian Venue Management International
12. SIOSIFA TALAKAI – Sponsored by O’Brien Palmer
13. DALE FINUCANE – Sponsored by Shire Steel & Fabrication
Interchange
14. AIDEN TOLMAN – Sponsored by White Wolf Constructions
15. CAMERON MCINNES – Sponsored by Lloyds
16. BRAYDON TRINDALL - Sponsored by SFD Food Services
17. ANDREW FIFITA - Sponsored by AFS Group
Reserves
18. LUKE METCALF
19. ROYCE HUNT
20. JACK WILLIAMS - Sponsored by AFS Group
21. LACHLAN MILLER
22. FRANKLIN PELE
23. JENSEN TAUMOEPEAU
24. TOM HAZELTON