NRL Match Preview: Week 2 Finals v Roosters

Author: Ted Roker Sharks Media
Timestamp: Fri 18 Sep 2026, 07:50 PM

The Sharks take some finals momentum into their semi-final against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium tomorrow night.

After a tough end to the regular season, a 26-16 win over the Cowboys has Cronulla cracking the whips at the right time.

Especially with Braydon Trindall's shoulder tried and tested and all the better for the hit-out.

"His shoulder pulled up really good to be honest," coach Craig Fitzgibbon shared.

"A couple of little stingers there which sort of shocked it, but it's really stable, and his strength's really good at the moment, so I think he'll be better for it.

"Obviously it was about a month on the sidelines there and he worked really hard in that. The performance staff didn't miss him to make sure he was ready to come back in."

Fans won't want to miss Ronaldo Mulitalo versus Mark Nawaqanitawase either.

One of the most anticipated winger duels in recent memory.

"Ronnie really respects Mark, and I think you would have seen it after the last game and Ronnie knows that the discipline in a semi-final is crucial," Fitzgibbon said.

"So, he'll be playing for his team in the way Ronnie does and with a respect for his opponent, but it's great to have two of the better wingers in the competition going at it, but no, it'll be focused on the game of football rather than any theatrics."

The battle off the field has been intense too. Sharks' fans HAD purchased the majority of Saturday's tickets as of Thursday night, before the Roosters faithful took the lead in what is their home final.

"We feel the support immensely in the Shire and yeah having them out there to know they'll be vocal for us is definitely an asset, but we want to perform for them as well," the Cronulla coach added.

Fitzgibbon is the first coach in the Sharks history to lead the club to five straight finals appearances.

The Roosters have won 3/4 of the final's clashes between both clubs, but Cronulla broke the drought in last year's week 1 elimination final with a 20-10 win over the tri-colours at Ocean Protect Stadium.

The Sharks have won four of their past six Finals games, with preliminary final losses to Penrith (2024) and Melbourne (2025).

Cronulla receives the fewest penalties and concedes the third-most and records the second-most ruck infringements.

Braydon Trindall (31) and Nicho Hynes (23) have the most try-assists by a halves combination in recent memory.

Briton Nikora is chasing his 100th NRL win and Addin Fonua-Blake will play his 50th NRL game for the Sharks in tomorrow's semi-final against the Roosters.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7:50pm at Allianz Stadium.

See the two 24-hour team lists below.

Finals Week 2 - Finals Week 2 - Saturday 19 Sep

9:50 am

Roosters

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Riley Jones
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia

Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Hugo Savala

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicho Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece Robson

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Jesse Colquhoun
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Salesi Foketi

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Spencer Leniu

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy Burns
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Angus Crichton

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Cody Ramsey

Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Toby Rudolf
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Tommy Talau

Interchange for Sharks is number 20 Niwhai Puru