It’s a local derby this Friday night as the injury-ridden St George Illawarra Dragons take on last year’s premiers the Cronulla Sharks. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary on the match from 6pm AEST in Woolongong.
Second plays third in this round 10 clash as the Dragons play host to their local rivals the Sharks this Friday night.
These games are almost always heated, and we can expect another cracker of a match this weekend.
The Dragons have started the season well, sitting on 12 competition points and are firmly in the top eight after the opening nine rounds.
However, the Woolongong-based club has struggled to match their intensity in recent games, losing to the Storm and Roosters respectively.
Additionally, the Dragons have lost their two key men to injury, with both Josh Dugan and Gareth Widdop expected to be sidelined for another three matches at least.
Without these two, there has been a noticeable difference in the Dragons’ play, lacking the intensity and attacking flair they had earlier in the season.
Making matters worse for the Dragons, they come up against last year’s premiers in the Sharks who are starting to flex their premiership muscles recently.
Plus, not only do the Dragons face Cronulla in perhaps the worst of circumstances, but the rivalry between these two could make it difficult for those filling in the places of Dugan and Widdopp.
Cronulla on the other hand have started to find their feet, sitting in third and level on points with St George.
The Sharks have lost only once in their last five games, and enter the match after a hard-fought win over the Tigers, surely aiding them for what will be a brutal encounter this Friday night.
Cronulla have also started to play their overall game much better than earlier in the season, really showing how well they can play and why they were last season’s winners.
Prediction
Although with injuries to their two main players, I think the Dragons will make it a close game. However, the Sharks should have too much for them in this encounter
Cronulla by 8
MIKE
Guest
R u kidding. Dragons out played shonks all nite.Refs f/up again.Getting really sick of these bad calls from the on field officials.About time the NRL fixed up this diabolical refereeing ,before the fans go elsewhere.
Dougie
Guest
Another close game....blatant forward pass may have changed things, however, without Widdop this is going to continue. Feel sorry for Mary who is moulding the Dragons well, but injuries are a Murphy's curse.
Dugan
Guest
Sharks were a stronger team by far but won ugly
JVGO
Guest
The entire St George crowd whinged about the refs all night even though they were getting gifted penalty after penalty. I've nevr heard anything like it. It was pretty tragic really. Honestly St George had more than enough ball and field position to win that game, just couldn't ice it without Widdup. In terms of effort they definitely deserved to win the game though. Sharks were woeful mostly.
JVGO
Guest
Yep, worst win of all time. St George are very willing but pretty limited without Widdup. It was just about the worst kicking performance from a team I've ever seen but their forwards were very willing. Sharks wanted to win without the work. I guess they got away with it.
JVGO
Guest
Sharks played like utter rubbish. The hard tackle count was about 180-2 to St George. Seriously we have played 1 good game all year. They usually play well the first 15 minutes but concede lots of penalties, manage to score anyway and get the lead then tune out and start making stupid errors. It is becoming old very fast. Cannot believe we are running second the way we have been playing. St George will be a very good side next year with Widdup and Hunt. The rest of them may not be world beaters but they run and tackle very hard. not really sorry to see the back of Jack Bird to be honest, replace him with someone who wants to play centre.
danwain
Guest
All good mate, very proud of the effort but that's three week where I can't fault the effort and still nothing to show for it. Onwards and upwards!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Haha I don't even feel like giving normal derby banter here... it's a hollow win... should be proud of the dragons effort though.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Fair enough Geoff... not saying dragons were bad but I think it's hard to try and say the Sharks weren't bad.... it feels a hollow win as a fan and Wade graham's full time interview sounded like they'd lost. Interesting to hear what Flanagan says in post match...
Kenw
Guest
But what happens to their gameplan if the refs start calling forward passes? Their completions could go negative....
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Don't think your giving much credit to St George. I thought they were pretty good tonight. This was never going to be an easy game despite Widdop and Dugan being out. Sure the Sharks made a lot of errors but some of that was due to the Dragons aggressive defence. The Dragons are a much better team this year and the comp is a lot more even. There are aren't many easy games so if you are slightly off in attitude and execution you can lose.
danwain
Guest
Win in Melbourne comes with a large caveat due to the conditions, Canberra have proven to be quite ordinary, you only just got over the line against a side without their two best players, and you were premiers last year, counts for nothing this year. But yes I am upset, ha ha ha
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Haha ok that's better Rene. "Unbeatable" was a big call. But I agree they are in the top 2 sides in the comp. And are beautifully placed to get another title. But it's funny what a premiership can do to some teams. Each year the reigning premiers look great in patches. But it always come down to attitude and hunger. Sharks will finish Top 4. Most likely Top 2. But they will definitely want an attitude change as you say. Cause they have to be up for every game. Particularly when the whips are cracking and those teams that haven't had a premiership for a while, lift to new levels
Renegade
Roar Guru
Mate, I'll accept the Sharks got some lucky calls but I also think there was a difference in class and the Sharks pathetic ball control also kept the game tight. Teams shouldn't win with 60% completion rates... but the 10 minutes of the game they held the ball they looked like they would easily roll the dragons... it was very similar to the first derby this year. Great effort without Dugan and Widdop though... Its definitely a loss that hurts when you look at the stats - I'll let you be mate ?
Renegade
Roar Guru
They are the reigning premiers, coming 2nd and the games against the heavyweights in Melbourne and Canberra suggest otherwise.... but I get that you're upset about all of that as a dragons fan ?
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: ST GEORGE DRAGONS 14-18 CRONULLA SHARKS The Sharks have got their derby revenge over the Dragons, winning 18-14 in Woolongong in controversial circumstances. The Dragons led 8-6 at Half time and led the scrappy affair through some great defensive play and hard thought attacking sets. However, despite the shocking error count the Sharks were too good in the second half, winning 18-14 through some great defence by themselves and lifting when they needed to, despite some controversy in how it happened. It was a close and cagey first half with the score line 0-0 for quite a while through the first half. However, a penalty deep in the Sharks half allowed Lafai to score a penalty goal and put the Dragons 2-0 in the 21st minute. Leutele however quickly responded with some great passing play down the left setting up the winger to put the Sharks ahead. Vaughan then replied with a response of his own, crashing over to make it 8-6 after 28 minutes. HALF TIME: DRAGONS 8-6 SHARKS The second half started fairly well for Cronulla who soon were back ahead when Leki crashed over in the corner after a forward passed looked certain in the build up. The Dragons despite being on the back foot early in the half responded when Russel Packer scored and put his side 14-12 up on a great Southern Sydney derby. Then, in the 72nd minute, Feki scores his second in the corner after again some controversy occurred in the build up to the try. Regardless, Feki scores and the Cronulla Sharks win 18-14 Thanks for joining The Roar, come back soon for more live scores and commentary
Renegade
Roar Guru
Hey EJ, Sorry , that last line should read "they look unbeatable"...definitely not suggesting they are certainties for back to back titles. They just aren't playing well in games they should easily win.... it's an attitude thing. Only seen 1.5 games where they've played to their potential....I still think they are the best team in the comp along with the storm but as you stated - mentally they need to have the hunger and motivation to perform... it doesn't seem to be there in games where they are expected to walk over the opposition.
danwain
Guest
Maybe, just maybe, they aren't a very good side?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The forward passes are so annoying. Two referees and two touchies and most get missed, especially from the ruck area. The video ref cant adjudicate on forward passes, why? There are lines cross the field every 10 metres.to help. In union, the TMO can rule on forward passes without as many lines on the field. If these could be ruled on in AFL or NFL, the league would jump at it but antthing from union isn't worth it.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Big call. I'd be concerned by the errors. Manly in 2014 were equal top after 26 rounds but they didn't have the hunger to go on with it. It looks to me like the Sharks are in the same boat. The competition is won in the top 2 inches.