Sharks wary of the ‘wounded’ Dragon in big derby clash

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Wed 28 Jun 2023, 07:49 PM

With a change of coach, controversy surrounding a star player and less than stellar results of late, their opponents have been constantly in the news, however the Sharks are readying themselves for a fired-up Dragons team in the local derby clash tomorrow night.

On a night where the teams will play for the Monty Porter Cup and Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey celebrates his 100th NRL game, the Dragons will be keen for change of fortune after the battles of recent weeks.

Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon, as an Illawarra junior has experienced first-hand the Sharks v Dragons local derby, realises form goes out the window, with the winner not necessarily the one highest on the ladder, rather the team that comes to play on the night.

“It’s Blayke Brailey’s 100th game, it’s the Monty Porter Cup, (Monty) was a significant member of both clubs, so we’ve got a bit play for, added to the fact it’s a local derby, so it will be an exciting night,” Fitzgibbon began.

“Rivalries are terrific for everyone to watch, there is just something about them. Some are stepped in history, some are about location and territory battles, there is all different narratives around every derby but they are all significant. They are exciting to be a part of and I think the fans love them as well.

“I want to make sure we go out there and give a good representation of the Sharks,” he added.

As for the most recent issue facing the St George Illawarra club, relating to the playing future of captain and star player Ben Hunt, Fitzgibbon and his team are expecting the Dragons half back to put that to one side and to bring the best version of himself to tomorrow’s game.

“He’s a very good player. You’ve got to be ready for him, he’s got those class moments in him, but there are some other players in the team, and they will want to respond after last week. They’ve played some good footy the few weeks prior to that, so we need to be ready,” Fitzgibbon said.

In team news, while the Shark aim to make the night a memorable occasion for their hooker as he notches the century of games played, also providing a boost will be the re-signing this week of young backrower Teig Wilton in adding further stability to their team for the years ahead.

Joining a host of teammates in committing to the Sharks, Wilton will again play a pivotal role on Thursday night, with Hunt, fullback Tyrell Sloan and talented Dragons edge forwards set to challenge the left hand side defence of the Cronulla team.

In further team news, Toby Rudolf returns this weekend, but not for the Sharks, Fitzgibbon explaining his return after 13-weeks on the sideline will be running out for the Newtown Jets on Saturday, with the Sharks unchanged from the 17 who beat the Bulldogs in round 16.

Since the Illawarra and St George clubs merged to become one, the Sharks and Dragons have played on 51 occasions, the Sharks winning 27, the Dragons 23, with one game drawn.

Tipping that head-to-head record in the Sharks favour has been their recent run of success, the Cronulla team currently on a six-game win streak, their most against a St George, Illawarra or combined Dragons side, while they have won the past two at PointsBet Stadium and eight of the last nine matches overall.

The most recent meeting between the two teams was in Round 4 at Netstrata Jubilee, Cronulla winning 40-8, the equal most points scored by the Sharks against the Dragons and their second biggest win after a 40-4 victory back in 2007.

The Sharks, who come into round 18 in fourth place, arrive at Thursday’s game on the back of a 48-10 win prior to their round 17 bye, while their opponents were beaten 48-18 by the Warriors last week.

St George Illawarra currently in 17th position, has not won a match this season away from Kogarah or Wollongong, losing all eight games played on the road.

In relation to player milestones, the coach has spoken about his hooker Brailey ahead of his 100th NRL and Sharks match, while Ben Murdoch-Masila from the Dragons will also play his 100th NRL game, after debuting for Wests Tigers in their memorable Finals loss to the Roosters in 2010.

Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 13 tries in 14 games this season and has 20 tries from his 20 career games at PointsBet, with fullback Will Kennedy only one four pointer behind his teammate with 12 tries so far this season.

Kennedy has scored five tries in six games against the Dragons, his biggest try tally against any NRL club.

The Sharks report no team changes from the on selected on Tuesday, with Connor Tracey and Bradyon Trindall included in the extended 19-man squad.

The game also kicks off the NRL’s Beanie 4 Brain Cancer Round, an initiative instigated by former Knights player Mark Hughes to raise funds for brain cancer treatment and research. Mark Hughes Foundation Beanies will be available for purchase at the game.

The match will also be played for the Monty Porter Memorial Cup, named in honour of the Sharks inaugural captain and a man to have represented the Dragons during their 11-consecutive premiership run of the late 1950’s and ‘60’s.

The Sharks hold the trophy after their victory earlier this season and currently hold a narrow 12-10-win advantage since the Monty Porter Cup matches began back in 2012.

The Sharks v Dragons game kicks off at 7.50pm, see below the team lists and results from previous Monty Porter Cup matches.

Round 18 - Round 18 - Thursday 29 Jun

Full Time

Sharks

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Tautau Moga
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Jayden Sullivan
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Oregon Kaufusi

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Ben Murdoch-Masila
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Cameron McInnes

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Michael Molo
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Thomas Hazelton

Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby Couchman
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jack Williams

Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Jaiyden Hunt
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Wade Graham

Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Moses Mbye

Reserves

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Connor Tracey

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Ryan Couchman

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:59 PM

MONTY PORTER CUP RESULTS

2023 – Round 4 – Sharks 40 – Dragons 8
2022 – Round 21 – Sharks 24 – Dragons 18
2022 – Round 3 – Sharks 36 – Dragons 12
2021 – Round 11 – Sharks 13 – Dragons 12
2021 – Round 1 – Sharks 32 – Dragons 18
2020 – Round 5 – Dragons 30 – Sharks 16
2019 – Round 22 – Sharks 18 – Dragons 12
2019 – Round 11 – Sharks 22 – Dragons 9
2018 – Round 6 – Dragons 40 – Sharks 20
2018 – Round 2 – Dragons 20 – Sharks 16
2017 – Round 10 – Sharks 18 – Dragons 14
2017 – Round 3 – Dragons 16 – Sharks 10
2016 – Round 23 - Dragons 32 – Sharks 18
2016 – Round 2 – Sharks 30 – Dragons 2
2015 – Round 18 – Sharks 28 – Dragons 8
2015 – Round 12 – Dragons 42 – Sharks 6
2014 – Round 13 – Dragons 30 – Sharks 0
2014 – Round 3 – Dragons 14 – Sharks 12
2013 – Round 23 – Sharks 22 – Dragons 18
2013 – Round 4 – Dragons 25 – Sharks 12
2012 – Round 19 – Dragons 18 – Sharks 10
2012 – Round 6 – Sharks 12 – Dragons 0

MONTY PORTER FIRST GRADE FACT FILE

1955 Western Suburbs Magpies: 4 games
1958-65 St George Dragons: 119 games (13 tries)
1967 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks:
* 22 games (3 tries)
* Inaugural Sharks captain
Representative: 1960 New South Wales: 1 game