NRL Match Preview: Round 9 v Wests Tigers

Author: Zoe Filetti Sharks Reporter
Timestamp: Fri 1 May 2026, 09:44 AM

The Sharks are looking to bounce back from a tough round eight defeat with a win at home in a blockbuster Sunday afternoon clash against the West Tigers.

Cronulla will run out at Ocean Protect Stadium this Sunday in hopes of getting their season back on track after encountering some speed bumps to start the year.

“We’re not happy with how we are playing at the moment, but we fix a few things and wins aren't far away,” said Sharks star Addin Fonua-Blake.

Some news sure to make Cronulla fans excited for this week is that Cameron McInnes will be starting in the number 13 jersey after coming off the bench in last week's match, his first game since suffering an ACL injury late last season. McInnes expressed how hungry he was to get back on the field.

“For me, how much I missed footy, It was great to get back out there playing, I enjoyed myself, although the result wasn’t what I wanted, or we wanted,” the powerhouse voiced.

With this round marking a third of the way through the season, the test has come at a perfect time for a Sharks team aiming to prove they deserve rated with the best once again.

After a couple of tough losses to the Cowboys and the Roosters, the home side are hoping to put on a show for their loyal fans, however against the flying West Tigers it will be no easy feat.

In their round eight meeting last year, a down to the wire, golden point thriller saw the Tigers come out on top, by just two points. With Tigers currently placed in third on the NRL Ladder, and in red hot form, coupled with last season's result, they will definitely be carrying confidence with them into the match.

Fonua-Blake highlighted how eager he is to be tasked with overcoming arguably the hottest team of the comp at the moment, with McInnes adding how exciting this challenge is for the home side.

“They’re going in really good places, but it’s also a great challenge for us coming off a performance we’re not proud of, at Shark Park here, we know they’re not going to give us anything, we’ll have to earn everything we get,” McInnes said.

The opposing props, Fonua-Blake, and Terrell May, are sure to set the pace for the tough physical battle that lies ahead on Sunday and with both potentially having a State of Origin spot up for grabs in less than four weeks, they will undoubtedly be showcasing their best.

In addition to the Sunday afternoon spectacle, Cronulla will also be celebrating Sharks Have Heart round, which recognises the work in giving back to the community and those in need. There will be plenty of game day initiatives that you don’t want to miss.

CLICK HERE for more on Sunday’s Sharks Have Heart Round

To secure your tickets follow the link here.

See the team lists below…

Round 9 - Round 9 - Sunday 3 May

6:05 am

Sharks

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Sunia Turuva
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Mawene Hiroti

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Jeral Skelton
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Siosifa Talakai

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Taylan May
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Luke Laulilii
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome Luai
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam Doueihi

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Tristan Hope
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Tony Sukkar
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jesse Colquhoun

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jock Madden
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy Burns

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Royce Hunt
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Latu Fainu
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Braden Uele

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Faaletino Tavana

Reserves

Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Riley Jones

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Patrick Herbert
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Niwhai Puru

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Bunty Afoa
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Chris Vea'ila

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Charlie Murray