NRL Match Preview: Round 26 v Knights
Led by new captain Blayke Brailey, Cronulla are determined to give their home faithful reason to cheer when they host Newcastle in a crucial Members Round clash at Sharks Stadium on Sunday.
Having enjoyed a bye last weekend, the sixth-placed Sharks must win to keep their top-four hopes alive with two rounds remaining in the regular season.
They'll meet a Knights side who are desperate to put a chaotic week behind them and avoid the dreaded wooden spoon after the announcement that long-time coach Adam O'Brien will part ways with the club at the end of the year.
While the inspirational Cam McInnes has been sidelined by a ruptured ACL, local junior Brailey is primed to take over as Cronulla skipper. The on-field general believes McInnes' absence will galvanise the group and force others to step up.
"Obviously with Cam going down there's a big leadership part of our squad that we lose. I'm lucky enough they've put their trust in me," Brailey said.
"I want to achieve everything in the game and achieve everything for this club, so it's another step for my progression and I'm excited for the challenge.
"It's the back-end of the year and we've got a big few weeks coming up, so hopefully we can keep pushing forward and really cement a good year."
Strike centre KL Iro will return for the Sharks after a 12-week layoff with a pectoral injury. The Cook Islands international will be looking to continue a remarkable try-scoring streak, having touched down 10 times in nine appearances this season.
Meanwhile, talented young forward Jesse Colquhoun is eager to seize his chance to step into McInnes' sizeable boots after being named to start at lock.
"I'll be ready and I'll take it with both hands," the 23-year-old said.
"Hopefully, I can play a little bit like Macca in terms of his toughness and mental fortitude. That's definitely something that inspires me when he takes the field."
Cronulla are reliant on other results but could still sneak into fourth place if they defeat Newcastle and Canterbury to close out the season. If they fall short, the next best outcome is the right to host an elimination final at Sharks Stadium.
"Top four is where we're aiming. We want to be there," Brailey declared.
"Winning the next two weeks will hopefully get us there.
"It's a big goal, but that comes off the back of some good weeks and some good preparation, so that's our sole focus at the moment," the hooker added.
The Sharks boast a strong recent record against Newcastle, winning five of their past six encounters including a 34-14 triumph at McDonald Jones Stadium in April.
Craig Fitzgibbon's men have toppled the Knights in six straight matches at Sharks Stadium – their longest current win streak against an opponent at the same venue.
Newcastle are set to enter Sunday's clash with the same 17 that fell 46-16 to the Broncos last week. Dummy-half Jayden Brailey has been listed on the interchange against his former club as he prepares to lock horns with sibling Blayke.
"It's exciting for our family to play each other," Blayke Brailey said.
"It's pretty rare to have two brothers in the NRL and it's always a fiery clash. The family is pretty divided – it's 50-50 at the moment."
Despite their ladder position, Newcastle will pack a punch with the likes of Dane Gagai and Bradman Best in their backline and veteran Tyson Frizell in the middle.
Kick-off is scheduled for 2pm. The match is part of an epic triple-header, with an NRLW clash to kick off proceedings at 11.50am and a Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership fixture rounding out a massive day at 6.30pm.
See the 24-hour squads below.
Match: Sharks v Knights
Round 26 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Knights is number 1 Dane Gagai
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Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
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Centre for Sharks is number 3 Mawene HirotiCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL IroCentre for Knights is number 5 Fletcher Hunt
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Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Knights is number 18 Greg Marzhew
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Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jack Cogger
Forwards
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Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
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Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
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Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby RudolfProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
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Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse ColquhounLock for Knights is number 13 Tyson Frizell
Interchange
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Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Hohepa PuruInterchange for Knights is number 6 Jake Arthur
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Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa TalakaiInterchange for Knights is number 15 Mat Croker
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Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Thomas HazeltonInterchange for Knights is number 16 Thomas Cant
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Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-UeleInterchange for Knights is number 17 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Reserves
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Replacement for Sharks is number 20 Jayden BerrellReplacement for Knights is number 3 James Schiller
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won five of their last six games against the Knights.
- The Knights have not won at Sharks Stadium since 2014.
- The Sharks have won their last five games at Sharks Stadium.
- Knights winger Dominic Young has scored six tries in his last five games against the Sharks.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 42 tries in 41 games at Sharks Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
