Sharks battle Knights for a top-two finish and home final

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Sat 3 Sep 2022, 01:55 PM

A second-place finish and a home Final goes on the line when the Sharks travel to Newcastle to take on the Knights in their last game of the regular season.

On old boy’s day in Newcastle, which is certain to give their opponents a lift, and against a team boasting three current or former State of Origin front rowers, coach Craig Fitzgibbon certainly isn’t looking past this game despite the Finals being just another week away.

“It’s been spoken a lot about (by us), them finishing the season with some respect in front of their old players and we need to be aware of what these occasions can do for a team’s attitude,” Fitzgibbon said. “So we need to worry about our own attitude as there is a bit a stake for us. We’ve been consistent and we want to continue that.”

As alluded to, while this Knights have struggled to recapture the form which saw them qualify for the Finals in 2021, a team which includes the Saifiti brothers and former NSW and Australian prop David Klemmer will definitely present a challenge to the Sharks forward pack.

“Winning the middle is a key part of the battle for us. I don’t think its any secret there are some quality big fellas in their team. We don’t want to let them get in their groove on the back of those guys and we need out big fellas to stand up,” Fitzgibbon added.

In team news for the Sharks, Dale Finucane will again be missing from the line up as he continues his recovery from a rib cartilage issue, while utility Braydon Trindall won’t make to the trip to Newcastle after having his appendix removed earlier in the week.

Coming onto the Sharks bench will be the elusive Luke Metcalf for what will be his first top grade game of the year, with Cam McInnes retaining his place in the run-on side at lock due to Finucane’s absence.

On the wing, Matt Ikuvalu returns after he was a late withdrawal from the Bulldogs match last weekend with a groin problem.

While the Sharks will be keenly watching on tonight when the Cowboys play the Panthers, regardless of that result a win will see them finish in second-place, which would represent their first time in the top two since 1999.

Irrespective of results in round 25 the Sharks can finish no worse than third, however a win guarantees a home final, a loss means a potential trip to Townsville.

Also with a win, the Sharks will equal their most regular season victories in club history, again tying a record set by the Cronulla side of 1999.

In relation to matches against Newcastle, in the 57 games played, the Knights hold the advantage with 31 wins, the Shark 25, with one draw.

The Knights 31 wins over the Sharks is their most against any side since entering the competition, with Cronulla breaking a four-game losing streak against them with an 18-0 triumph in round 4.

Prior to that, the Sharks had won eight straight from 2015-18, including the Club’s equal biggest win, 62-0 in a match played at McDonald Jones Stadium in 2016.

At McDonald Jones, the Knights have won the past three, and 17 of 27 matches played against Cronulla teams.

The Sharks come into the game second on the ladder with 36 competition points, the Knights are 13th on 14 points with a six-win, 17-loss, record in 2022.

The Knights 36-26 loss to the Titans last week was their third straight, with their only win in the past eight games a 14-10 victory over the Tigers in round 21. They have more away wins (four) than home wins (two) in the 2022 season.

As for the Sharks, the 16-0 victor over the Bulldogs was their 10 in the last 11 matches as they aim to registers a sixth straight win for the first time since 2018.

And much of the Sharks success has been built on their defence, having not conceded over 20 points in the past 11 matches.

In a significant player milestone, Wade Graham will play his 233rd games, moving past club legend David Peachey to become the third highest capped Sharks player, with only Paul Gallen (348) and Andrew Ettingshausen (328) playing more first grade games for the Cronulla club.

The Sharks v Newcastle match is scheduled for a 2.00pm kick-off at McDonald Jones Stadium, with the two 19-man squads listed below.

Round 25 - Round 25 - Sunday 4 Sep

Full Time

Knights

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tex Hoy

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Lachlan Miller
Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Matt Ikuvalu
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Knights is number 20 Enari Tuala

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Knights is number 5 Dominic Young

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Phoenix Crossland

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Adam Clune

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele
Hooker for Knights is number 14 Chris Randall

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Royce Hunt
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Teig Wilton
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Aiden Tolman
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Jack Johns

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew Fifita
Interchange for Knights is number 18 Simi Sasagi

Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Luke Metcalf