NRL Match Preview: Round 26 v Eels

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Sat 29 Aug 2026, 04:05 PM

The Sharks come into tomorrow's match with the Eels on the back of a vital win that saw the side click back into gear after back-to-back losses.

Both clubs' annually play for the Johnny Mannah Cup, in tribute to the champion prop who sadly passed away in 2013.

The Sharks have held the trophy since regaining it in last year’s 28-18 win over Parramatta at Magic Round in Brisbane.

Coach Craig Fitzgibbon said, "we’d like to pay our respects to the Mannah family for this game. It’s not lost on us.”

“Obviously, his brother Tim is a Parramatta legend and Johnny played for the Sharks. Shark #435 so it’s an important day for us too.”

With his side assured an NRL finals place this season, Fitzgibbon is set to become the first Cronulla coach to lead the club to 5 straight finals appearances.

But he’s made sure the Sharks are taking it game by game.

“Our fans are up and about and looking forward to the end of the year, but we’ve got a couple of challenges ahead before we get there so it’s good to have the fans onside and excited.”

“The Eels have shown some green shoots this year with a lot of improved players…so it’ll be a handful for us but we’re looking forward to the challenge,” he added.

The Sharks will also be motivated by more milestones.

The club's now second greatest try scorer of all-time, Ronaldo Mulitalo, will bring up his 150th NRL appearance for the club.

Cronulla have won 10/13 games since the winger returned from an ACL injury in round 11.

“I haven’t seen too many guys do more in the community, and give their time to people, on behalf of the Sharks than Ronnie," Fitzgibbon shared.

"His passion can come across as an antagonist. He just wants to win and sometimes that spills over but he’s just a player that you love to have in your side.

“His teammates adore him and other teams don’t like him, but that guy has got a big heart and we’re really lucky to have him that’s for sure."

The ever-impressive Jesse Colquhoun will bring up his 50th game for the club as well.

The 24-year-old was limited to just 11 games in his first three seasons due to injury, but his next 38 have flown by since returning in round 9 last year.

"Jesse came back from a broken foot, (another) broken foot and then an ACL, so the start to Jesse’s career has been littered with challenge and turbulence but he’s shown… what sort of player he’s going to be," Fitzgibbon continued.

“We’re really happy that we’ve re-signed him for a long period of time because we think he’s the future in that position (lock).”

Cronulla has won three of the past four games against Parramatta, all three by 10 points or less, but at CommBank Stadium the Sharks have won one of three against the Eels.

Cronulla has won 12 of 13 games this season when leading at halftime, and won two of nine when trailing at the break, including last week’s come from behind victory over the Titans.

The Sharks have won 11 of 14 games when scoring the first try, but won three of eight when conceding first, and have conceded the last try in the past six games.

Nicho Hynes needs seven points to pass Luke Covell (948) for third most points for Cronulla and is also chasing his 100th NRL career win in what will be his 147th game.

The Sharks and Eels round 26 clash kicks off at 4:05pm tomorrow at CommBank Stadium.

See the 24-hour team lists below.

Round 26 - Round 26 - Sunday 30 Aug

6:05 am

Eels

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Apa Twidle

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Eels is number 2 Brian Kelly

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Mawene Hiroti
Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell

Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ronald Volkman

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Niwhai Puru
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicho Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Luca Moretti

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Tallyn Da Silva

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Jesse Colquhoun
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Jack Williams

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Eels is number 13 Saxon Pryke

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Harrison Edwards

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Ryda Talagi

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy Burns
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Teancum Brown

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Dylan Walker

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Jack De Belin

Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru
Interchange for Sharks is number 20 Riley Jones