NRL Match Preview: Round 23 v Dragons

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Fri 8 Aug 2025, 02:59 PM

With four straight wins under their belt, the Sharks will ramp up their pursuit of a top-four berth when they tackle the Dragons in a Saturday afternoon local derby at Jubilee Stadium.

Cronulla produced one of their strongest attacking performances in recent memory with a 32-12 victory over the Cowboys despite inclement weather last weekend, leaving them only two competition points adrift of the fourth-placed Warriors.

They'll now meet a St George Illawarra side buoyed by an 18-12 upset over the ladder-leading Raiders, showing an ability belying their 12th-place standing.

Adding to the occasion is the fact it's Indigenous Round, with Cronulla to be represented by First Nations stars Nicho Hynes, Braydon Trindall, Jesse Ramien and Will Kennedy. The team will wear a special jersey designed by Jordan Ardler.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon is wary of Shane Flanagan's team, who have endured several tight losses including a 30-18 defeat to Cronulla in Round 15.

The Dragons held an 18-6 half-time lead on that occasion before being run down by the Sharks, who have won 10 consecutive matches against their neighbours.

"They've had a number of good performances. It's a local derby at Kogarah, so it'll be a real good challenge for us," Fitzgibbon said on Friday.

"They've been in a number of contests that haven't gone their way but they've been competitive the whole way, so we know what they bring ... They're a difficult proposition and fighting for their season. They've been pretty consistent recently."

Second-rower Teig Wilton will celebrate his 100th NRL match – all in Sharks colours – after making his debut against the Dragons in Round 11, 2020.

"He's got a real presence about him amongst the group, Teig," Fitzgibbon said.

"He's had a little bit to overcome in the last couple of years. He hurt his knee a couple of years ago and he's overcome some difficult shoulder injuries that he's played through. He's so tough, so reliable. We're starting to see the best of him."

Wilton reflected: "I played game one at Kogarah against the Dragons and now game 100 is the same, so it's a bit weird like that. A local derby is always a big game and big occasion, so I'm looking forward to it. It means a lot to both teams."

Wilton reflects ahead of 100th NRL game

On the selection front, the Sharks have regained interchange front-rower Toby Rudolf after he missed last week due to a head knock. He'll return in a direct swap with Jesse Colquhoun, who has accepted a one-match ban for dangerous contact.

Fellow prop Oregon Kaufusi has been confirmed as a late withdrawal due to a calf strain, with Braden Hamlin-Uele taking his place in the run-on side and back-rower Billy Burns elevated to the interchange. Jayden Berrell is now the 18th man.

Meanwhile, St George Illawarra have retained the same 17, headlined by veteran fullback Clint Gutherson and former Kangaroos hooker Damien Cook.

Fitzgibbon is excited about the opportunity for his side to embrace the start of Indigenous Round, which this year spans two weeks for the first time.

"It's a great initiative by the game in general. Some of the greats of our game are Indigenous, so it's a terrific concept," the coach concluded.

Kick-off tomorrow is at 3pm. Catch the action live on Foxtel and Kayo.

See the 24-hour squads below.

Round 23 - Round 23 - Saturday 9 Aug

Full Time

Dragons

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Tyrell Sloan

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

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Dragons is number 18 Hayden Buchanan

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Corey Allan

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Lyhkan King-Togia

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Emre Guler

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Dragons is number 10 David Klemmer

Prop for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Dragons is number 15 Hamish Stewart

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Toby Rudolf
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Hame Sele

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Thomas Hazelton
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Blake Lawrie

Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Billy Burns
Interchange for Dragons is number 21 Jacob Halangahu

Interchange for Sharks is number 20 Hohepa Puru