Revamped Sharks face Sea Eagles in crucial Sunday clash

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Sat 22 Jul 2023, 03:59 PM

Sunday when the Sharks play the Sea Eagles the teams will compete for the all-important two competition points, with a positive result for crucial for both clubs as they look to continue their push for a Finals berth.

The Sharks come into the contest in sixth position, but on the back of a disappointing performance in New Zealand, while for Manly who are currently 11th, this is almost the last throw of the dice should they hope to play Finals football in 2023.

And spicing up the rivalry just a little more, Mat and Don Rogers will both be at PointsBet this weekend when the teams play for the Steve Rogers Memorial Trophy, in honour of their late, great father and Sharks Immortal.

On a day where the NRLW Sharks play their first game in the elite level women’s NRL competition, Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has made a handful of changes, some forced, some as a result of selection decisions, as he looks to get his team’s run into the Finals back on track.

“It got to the point where changes were required,” Fitzgibbon said. “We were disappointed with our defensive performance last week. It’s been frustrating but we’re working hard on it.”

The most high-profile omission was Matt Moylan, the five eighth omitted from the 17 for the game tomorrow afternoon.

“He fronted up, accepted the decision and he’s trained hard this week,” the coach said.

In other changes, Siosifa Talakai goes from the run-on side onto the interchange bench, with Wade Graham to sit out this weekend’s clash. Teig Wilton is also missing after suffering a knee injury, one which has ruled him out for the remainder of the 2023 season.

Braydon Trindall gets his chance at five eighth in place of Moylan, Connor Tracey will play left centre, while youngster Jesse Colquhoun takes over from Wilton in the backrow.

Dale Finucane also returns to the Sharks line-up after missing two matches due to a suspension.

While of late the Sharks have enjoyed a level of success against the Sea Eagles, winning their most recent three matches, the Sharks have their worst record against Manly of any opponent, with 28 wins, 67 losses and two draws from the 97 games played, representing a win percentage of 29 per cent.

Prior to 2020, the Sharks had only won two of 19 games against Manly but have won the past three, and four of the previous five, with the only Sea Eagles win in this period coming at Suncorp Stadium in 2021.

The Sharks defeated Manly 20-14 at Brookvale in round 11 earlier this season, while also winning the last meeting at PointsBet, a 34-22 victory in round 7 last year.

Since 2007, Manly has also enjoyed success at PointsBet, winning 10 of 13 matches, which represents their best win record of all venues they have played on more than five occasions in this period of time (77%).

Cronulla has won the past two, and four of the past five matches at home against all opponents.

The Sharks are averaging almost 28 points scored this season, their most ever, having scored 40 points or more four times in 2023. They are ranked first in points and tries scored, as well as line breaks per game.

Sea Eagles have won just three of their past 10 matches and just five of 23 matches away from Brookvale since the start of last season. They come into this game on the back of a 19-8 loss to the Cowboys at home last weekend.

The Sharks v Manly match is scheduled for a 4.05pm kick off as the third of a triple header of games at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday, with the Jersey Flegg at 11.35am and the opening game of the NRLW season between the Sharks and Raiders at 1.50pm.

See following details of previous Rogers Trophy matches, along with the two 19-man squad lists.

Steve Rogers Memorial Trophy
The Sharks have won three straight and four of the last five matches between the two clubs, however prior to that the Steve Rogers Trophy games had been dominated by the Sea Eagles.

Steve Rogers played 202 First Grade games for the Cronulla club from 1973 to 1982, and also in 1985, included amongst those games Grand Finals in 1973 and 1978, both against the Manly Sea Eagles.

Rogers passed away in January 2006, with the Steve Rogers Memorial Trophy struck due to his battles with the Sea Eagles on the field and the many friendships he enjoyed with Manly players while in NSW and Australian representative teams.

Below is the complete record from the 28 Steve Rogers Trophy matches played.

Premiership matches record: Played 28: Manly 20, Cronulla 8

Results:
2023: Rd 11: Cronulla 20 d Manly 14

2022: Rd 23: Cronulla 40 d Manly 6; Rd 7: Cronulla 34 d Manly 22

2021: Rd 20: Manly 40 d Cronulla 22

2020: Rd 7: Cronulla 40 d Manly 22

2019: Rd 10 Manly 24 d Cronulla 14; SF: Manly 28 d Cronulla 16

2018: Rd 21: Manly 33 d Cronulla 32

2017: Rd 16: Manly 35 d Cronulla 18

2016: Rd 3: Manly 22 d Cronulla 12, Rd 11: Cronulla 20 d Manly 12

2015: Rd 26: Manly 14 d Cronulla 12; Rd 17, Manly 28 d Cronulla 16.

2014: Rd 6: Manly 24 d Cronulla 4, Rd 15: Manly 26 d Cronulla 0