Sharks fired up for a Thursday night derby

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Wed 23 Mar 2022, 07:58 PM

Two teams with one win, one loss records, both looking to establish themselves early on in the season as serious as finals contenders, sets up another enthralling installment in what is one of the most fiercely fought local rivalries.

The Sharks and Dragons face off for the 49th time (since St George and Illawarra became one) in what shapes as a Thursday night classic in Wollongong, a match where bragging rights amongst the fans and playing groups goes on the line.

For the Sharks they head down the highway with a bounce in their step after scoring a last-ditch victory over the Eels, that win coming on the back of surrendering the points in a similar fashion in a narrow loss in round one.

While for the Dragons, after a solid first up performance in beating the Warriors, they were perhaps somewhat unlucky to go down to the defending premiers the Panthers last weekend and they too will kick off tomorrow night with a high level of confidence.

In just his third game in charge, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has the Sharks well prepared despite the short turnaround from Saturday’s Eels win, however he is well aware of the task confronting his team.

“They’ve been impressive in both their game,” Fitzgibbon said of the Dragons.

“Even leading out the Charity Shield they were impressive there as well. They’ve got some exciting young players, a balance of experience and we’re under no illusion as to the challenge we face,” he added.

Part of that challenge about which Fitzgibbon speaks, will be around containing the speedy Dragons backline, as well as countering their aggressive forward pack, but the addition of former St George skipper Cam McInnes to the Sharks line up, the continued development of the halves combination of Nicho Hynes and Matt Moylan, coupled with the leadership provided by Dale Finucane, has Cronulla ready to continue their winning ways.

In a set back for the Sharks however, Teig Wilton, the scorer of the winning try against the Eels and arguably one of his team’s best through the opening two rounds, will be missing through suspension, while due to having just a five-day break in between matches, Ronaldo Mulitalo hasn’t been able to complete the concussion protocols in time for tomorrow’s game.

Siosifa Talakai comes into the Sharks run-on side for Wilton, the experienced Matt Ikuvalu slots in for Mulitalo, and in an interesting selection on the interchange bench, Fitzgibbon has opted for utility Braydon Trindall due to his versatility and ability to cover numerous positions.

“He’s a tough kid. He can play anywhere on the field and it’s nice to have that coverage in case something goes pear shaped,” Fitzgibbon explained.

In emphasising the fact that playing in Wollongong is a difficult assignment, since 1990 the Sharks have recorded just two wins at WIN, with both of those coming in their past four visits. The two teams have met eight times at the venue, the most recent encounter coming in 2019 when the Sharks were victorious by 22-9.

Overall, there have been 48 matches played, the Sharks winning 24, the Dragons 23, with one draw, Cronulla having won five of the past six matches and looking for a fourth straight victory when the teams meet tomorrow.

The teams last played in round 11 last season, the Sharks beating the Dragons in golden point.

While in relation to local derby’s Fitzgibbon, an Illawarra junior, played just one when at the Dragons, coming off the bench in the infamous 1999 prelim final.

In player milestones, Moylan takes to the field for his 150th NRL match, the Sharks five eighth playing 89 games for the Panthers before joining the Cronulla club in 2018.

As they do on an annual basis, the Sharks and Dragons will play for the Monty Porter Memorial Trophy in honour of the Sharks first captain in 1967, a long-time administrator at Cronulla and a man who represented the Dragons during their 11-premiership reign during the 1950’s and ‘60’s.

The Sharks have trimmed their 24-man squad to 19 for the game which is scheduled for an 8.05pm kick-off at WIN Stadium tomorrow night, with Royce Hunt and Luke Metcalf retained on an extended reserves bench.

See the two 19-man squads listed below.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Thursday 24 Mar

Full Time

Dragons

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Cody Ramsey

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Connor Tracey
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Matt Ikuvalu
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Moses Mbye

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Jack Bird

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Siosifa Talakai
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tariq Sims

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jack De Belin

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Aiden Tolman
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Josh Kerr

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Cameron McInnes
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Jackson Ford

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Braydon Trindall
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Jack Gosiewski

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew Fifita