Match Preview: Round 14 v Dragons

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Sat 6 Jun 2026, 03:15 PM

Last week without Nicho Hynes and with Blayke Brailey forced from the field with a broken arm early in the second half, the Sharks showed enough resilience and determination to withstand a Sea Eagles fightback and claim the points against a highly rated Manly outfit.

It was a win which kept the Cronulla side firmly entrenched in the top eight as the 2026 season passes the halfway point.

Next on the schedule, in a game kicking off at 4.05pm on Sunday afternoon, is the local derby clash with St George Illawarra, with the two teams to play for the Monty Porter Foundation Memorial Cup.

Although a glimpse at the ladder might indicate an easy afternoon for the Sharks, after a last start win, their first of the season, the opposite maybe true, with Dragons to arrive at Ocean Protect Stadium with confidence high and hopes of causing an upset.

A two-try hero last weekend in the win over Manly and a former Dragon, Billy Burns is one Shark very much looking forward to Sunday’s clash.

“It’s a local derby, Sunday arvo, it doesn’t get much better than that” Burns said. “We’re pretty excited.”

Ronaldo Mulitalo, two games into his comeback from a long-term knee injury, will be ready for what the Dragons bring but is similarly excited to take on their local rivals.

“We know how dangerous they are going to be this weekend, but we’re up for the challenge.”

However, if the Sharks are to get the points on Sunday, they will need to do so without the services of Brailey, their inspirational skipper.

“I’m really disappointed for Blayke, his form and what he brings to his team, but it’s the next man in mentality and we’ve got to get after it,” Mulitalo said.

While Burns also backed the players coming into the team to replace his regular half back and hooker in being able to do the job required.

“You lose a lot with Blayke, but with the boys coming in, we’re excited for them. The coaches do a good job of keeping our job simple, when a few boys drop out, the boys coming up know their role and they just slot in,” Burns added.

The experienced Jayden Berrell has been named in Brailey’s number nine jersey, with last week’s debutant Niwhai Puru again slotting into half back in place of Hynes.

In a boost for the Sharks, Queensland Origin representative Briton Nikora comes into the backrow after missing the Manly game, with Burns going back to the interchange bench, however the Sharks will be without Jesse Ramien who is a late withdrawal, with his place taken by KL Iro, the Cook Islands international returning after missing last week's game.

In the 56 matches played between the two teams since the St George - Illawarra merger, the Sharks hold the advantage with 31 wins, to 24 by the Dragons, with one match drawn.

After winning 10 straight against the Dragons from 2020, the Sharks were defeated in the most recent meeting between the two teams, suffering a 22-14 loss at Kogarah in round 23 last year.

At Ocean Protect Stadium the Sharks have won the past five games against the Dragons, while in the past 10 games at the venue, Cronulla has kept the Dragons to 20 points or less

The Sharks come into the game in eighth place, with six wins and five losses, and Ocean Protect they have won the past three, and four of five games this season

Cronulla has won six of the seven games when leading at halftime, but lost all four when trailing at the break

In player milestones, Ronaldo Mulitalo (408) needs three tries to surpass Mitch Healey (418) as the Sharks 10th highest points scorer of all-time

Will Kennedy has seven tries against the Dragons, a club record he shares with David Peachey.

As for the Dragons who sit at the bottom of the competition table in 17th position, their win away from home last week with their first of 2026, to go with 11 losses.

The 30-26 win over the Broncos was their first since Rd 20 last year, ending a run of 15 straight losses, the victory ironically coming in a game against the Sharks.

See following game details, along with the two 24-hour squad lists.

Round 14 - Round 14 - Sunday 7 Jun

6:05 am

Sharks

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel Stonestreet

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Setu Tu
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Mawene Hiroti

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses Suli
Centre for Sharks is number 21 KL Iro

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine Holmes
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mathew Feagai
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Niwhai Puru

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden Berrell

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Toby Couchman
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Dylan Egan
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Hamish Stewart
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Ryan Couchman

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy Burns

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Josh Kerr
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jesse Colquhoun

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

Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Emre Guler
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru

Interchange for Dragons is number 20 Tyrell Sloan
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Oregon Kaufusi

Interchange for Dragons is number 21 Jaydn Su'A