With games against the Titans and Knights and a bye still to come there is no need for panic at Cronulla but a stumble against arch-rivals the Dragons leaves them vulnerable to a couple of chasers.
The Sharks sit on 28 competition points with a points differential of +35, while the Roosters (26 pts, +72) and Dolphins (26 pts, +119) both have a superior for-and-against but don't have the luxury of two points for a bye.
The loss of Briton Nikora to suspension is a blow for the Sharks who have come to rely heavily on the Kiwi back-rower's ability to bust open defences on the right edge.
The Titans, meanwhile, are staring down the barrel of a second wooden spoon in seven seasons after coming up short against the Rabbitohs last weekend.
That two-point defeat followed a golden point heartbreaker against the Panthers and leaves Des Hasler's men alone at the bottom with games against the Sharks, Warriors, Dolphins and Wests Tigers to come.
There is little doubt the Titans have the attacking weapons to challenge any side on their day but an inability to defend their line has seen them concede 28ppg this season, with only the Cowboys (29.2ppg) giving up more.
Match: Sharks v Titans
Round 24 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Titans
17th Position
Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Sharks: The loss of Jesse Ramien brings Mawene Hiroti into the centres while Billy Burns also comes in for the suspended Briton Nikora, who won't play again until the finals. Two new faces on the bench with Jesse Coquhuon back from suspension and Daniel Atkinson returning after he was 18th man last week.
Titans: A huge boost for the Titans with skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui named to return after three games out with a knee injury while Phil Sami (concussion) and Moeaki Fotuaika (illness) are also back. Klese Haas and Reagan Campbell-Gillard move to the bench while Brian Kelly has entered the concussion protocols.
Match: Sharks v Titans
Round 24 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Titans is number 2 Jaylan De Groot
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Mawene HirotiCentre for Titans is number 3 Phillip Sami
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa TalakaiCentre for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Titans is number 5 Tony Francis
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Titans is number 7 Jayden Campbell
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby RudolfProp for Titans is number 10 Jaimin Jolliffe
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Chris Randall
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Titans is number 17 Josh Patston
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jesse ColquhounInterchange for Titans is number 15 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Thomas HazeltonInterchange for Titans is number 16 Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Tuku Hau TapuhaInterchange for Titans is number 18 Keano Kini
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Hohepa PuruInterchange for Titans is number 19 Jacob Alick-Wiencke
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 14 Daniel AtkinsonReplacement for Titans is number 20 Tukimihia Simpkins
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won 10 of their past 11 games against the Titans.
- The Titans have not won at Shark Park since 2017.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 40 tries in 40 games at Shark Park.
- Titans centre Phillip Sami has scored five tries in his last three games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
