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The Cronulla Sharks will try to put some points on the board after being shutout last week when the Penrith Panthers come to visit this weekend. Join us for live scores and updates from 2.00pm AEST.
Cronulla’s season has been fairly steady, currently sitting in seventh, however they appeared well off the pace when the second-ranked Roosters blew them out by 40 points last round.
The Panthers are on the outside looking in at the final eight, at ninth on the ladder, but their recent form (three wins in five games) has been strong, albeit for a hiccup last week against the Knights (going down by 18).
Despite being further down the ladder, the Panthers have scored more than four more points more than the Sharks per game, and their leading try scorer – David Simmons, with 15 – is far more productive than Cronulla’s leading scorer Andrew Fifita (6 tries).
Last time these two faced was almost a year ago in Round 21 of the 2012 season, and the Sharks jumped to an early lead, up 10-6 at halftime.
After trading points early in the second, Cronulla then scored what looked like the game winner with three minutes to go, but through some miracle the Panthers were able to get over in the corner and send the game to golden point, and through the boot of Luke Walsh the Panthers won 21-20.
Cronulla was in the news this week for off-field reasons – backrower Wade Graham was spared from a second round of interviews regarding doping allegations, however nine other Sharks will face interviews, including captain Paul Gallen.
Panthers Coach Ivan Cleary is the centre of news in Penrith, after complaining last week about the conduct of Newcastle prop Kade Snowden which resulted in a two match ban.
Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett spoke out this week against Cleary, claiming that Cleary’s comments cost Snowden an extra week of suspension.
I’m tipping the Sharks by six.
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