The Dragons have pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season, knocking off the Sharks by 14 points on Satuday night.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Dragons 32
Sharks 18
With their undefeated streak behind them, the Cronulla Sharks continue their quest for a maiden NRL title as they battle the St George Illawarra Dragons away from home. Join The Roar from 7:30pm (AEST) for all the live highlights and action.
The Sharks ended their 15-game winning streak with an intense golden point draw with the Titans in Round 21, before losing the undefeated streak all together a week later to the Raiders.
The surprise loss to the Canberra side last round has put them back behind Melbourne Storm into second spot, after spending the better part of three months leading the pack.
Despite the loss of position though, the Sharks are still five points clear of third-placed Bulldogs with just four rounds to go.
The Dragons, on the other hand, haven’t quite enjoyed such a stellar winning streak in 2016, as they hunt for an unlikely top eight spot in the last four games.
Sitting down in 12th at the moment, St George have lost their five games in a row with only a bye breaking up the streak.
The Dragons task won’t be getting any easier either, coming up against a Cronulla side with the second best attack in the competition, averaging nearly 26 points per game.
In the same discipline, the Dragons are down in third last with just 12 points per game.
These two have also already played this year in what was a forgettable performance by the Dragons, letting in 30 points in the last 47 minutes to lose by 28.
And just to keep the stats rolling, the Dragons score the least amount of second half points in the competition, with just 99 after halftime across the whole year.
Averaging just five points in the second half for 2016, they have been outscored 221-99 in the final forty minutes of matches.
Team News
For the Dragons, fullback Josh Dugan finally returns from a jaw injury for his first game since State of Origin three.
Joel Thompson and Tyson Frizell also make their way into the lineup, both returning from suspension.
Will Matthews will be pushed back to the bench because of the changes, but Adam Quinlan and Tyrone McCarthy have been dropped completely from the match day squad.
The Sharks have also made three alterations to their side that lost to Canberra last week, with retiring veteran Michael Ennis recovering from a virus and being cleared to return mid week.
Sam Tagataese and Fa’amanu Brown have been dropped to make way for Joseph Paulo and Ricky Leutele on the bench.
Prediction
The Sharks have had a tough couple of winless weeks but they’ll be hoping to bounce back from the winning streak hangover and keep their hopes at the minor premiership kicking.
The Dragons only went down by four points last week to the Broncos, but they were fairly comfortably beaten across the park and didn’t look as threatening as the scoreline suggests.
The Sharks should get the job done tonight. I just can’t see the Dragons taking the fight to Cronulla for the full 80 despite their unpredictable style of play.
Sharks to win by 20
Connor Bennett
Editor
The key is to keep your expectations low, then they will always pleasantly surprise you
Josh
Expert
I think Scotty is the least hopeful Dragons fan on the planet.
Scott Bennett
Guest
Yes well the red v live to fight another day. They never cease to surprise me by winning when I think they should lose and by losing when I think they should win
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yeah I can't argue that unfortunately... Lol I bet you're enjoying this Richard!
V.O.R.
Guest
Sharks were out muscled for large parts of the game Renegade. Titan's set the blueprint. It appears that the temperament problem of certain Sharks forwards when they are being dominated also exacerbates the teams position. Not sure this can be sorted out...hard to teach an old dog new tricks in week 23. Really thought Sharkies should of kept the pressure on with ten to go instead of taking the two. They looked like they were starting to get on top. It was the turning point. Cronulla outside backs are awesome to watch.
Richard Maybury
Guest
You have to remember that the sharks have gone 3 weeks without a win now. I don't know about the bubble bursting but the wheels certainly look like they are coming detached.
Big J
Guest
Yep this is The beginning of the end for the Sharks which is a shame but we all saw it coming guess will have to wait a little longer for prime minister holt to finally come home
Renegade
Roar Guru
Although I agree with you, I don't know if they felt it was a must win judging by some of the comments from the players during the week.... But hopefully it's the lull before they peak. Don't know if they've been outmuscled... Gal and Taga out today were big losses. They were definitely out enthused though... Credit to the dragons, they produced their best performance of the year... The Sharks performance was certainly a bubble burster though, a huge wake up call!
bear54
Is that the sound of a bubble bursting? I was really expecting the Sharks to save their worst performance for a preliminary final.
danwain
Guest
A game against the dragons should always be a must win for the Sharks, the players would not have looked at the game with indifference. The issue is that the Sharks have been outmuscled three weeks in a row, maybe a few blokes are carrying injuries. Or more likely some complacency had creeped in, not a good time of the year for that to happen.
Red Block
Guest
I've never been convinced about Flanagan's credentials. Hopefully he has the Sharks in heavy training and is rapidly organising a taper for a tilt at the finals. The alternative is too scary to think about. While we long suffering Sharks fans will wait to pass judgement, extending his contract should have waited until after the finals series.
Brett
Guest
I didn't expect the Sharks to choke this far out from the finals. The Storm are definitely favourites for 2016 now.
Renegade
Roar Guru
The Sharks can afford a few losses and that game wasn't a must win.... But for the first time this year I'm slightly worried, purely based on what I saw in that second half. Don't know what's going on at training but they've got some work to do!
Muzz
Guest
I thought you were leaving us, Charles. Welcome back.
danwain
Guest
What does this say about the Sharks, winless in three weeks, dominated by the worst attacking team in the comp, troubles in the shire
Charles NSW
Guest
All season I have stuck up for Paul McGregor! I believe there were a number of problems that he had to overcome as like many coaches do with their teams To say he is a bad coach shows that some people do not know what they are talking about This is a team that can keep improving but may be one or two seasons away to be at their best It really depends as to who they buy now to compliment their team
Connor Bennett
Editor
» Click here to read the full match report
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
The Maloney statement mid-week that the minor premiership was not important has just run aground and was dashed on the rocks. Next week he'll be telling us that the top 4 is not important.
Connor Bennett
Editor
The Roar's NRL MVP votes: 3 - Tariq Sims 2 - Josh Dugan 1 - Ben Barba
Muzz
Guest
WOW. I'm shocked with scoreline and equally as shocked that i managed to stay awake during a Dragons game. Congrats.