The Cronulla Sharks have put together a strong start to their title defence so far, but that could face a hiccup when they host the Wests Tigers. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEST).
The Sharks are sitting in third place with a 9-4 record. Last weekend was a heartbreaker, however as they went down to ladder leaders the Melbourne Storm in a tight contest at Shark Park.
However, they may struggle to redeem the loss, as they’re facing a game without five of their origin stars. With a serious risk of dropping out of the Top 4 looming, Sharks fans will be hoping this makeshift side can put up a victory against the Tigers.
The Tigers are struggling again this season, but they won’t get a better chance to take a top 4 scalp. They’re not in the greatest form, as last weekend saw a 40-18 thumping at the hands of the Sydney Roosters.
However, this is a team that should improve over the second half of the season, as they’ve injected some talent and made some very shrewd buys for next.
As mentioned above, the Sharks have been gutted by Origin this weekend. They’ll be without Andrew Fifita, Jack Bird, James Maloney, Valentine Holmes and Wade Graham for this clash and they’ll struggle to bring in enough quality to field a competitive side.
Billy Magoulias, Daniel Mortimer, Edrick Lee, Fa’amanu Brown, Jack Williams, Jeremy Latimore, Jessie Ramien, Kurt Dillon and Kurt Capewell are the pool of names potentially joining the side.
The Tigers will also lose a couple or Origin stars, with Aaron Woods and James Tedesco unavailable.
Joel Edwards, Junior Tatola, Luke Brooks, Malakai Watene Zelezniak, Matthew Eisenhuth and Watson Heleta are the men added to the side, and one would expect Brooks in particular, to take his place in the run-on 13.
Prediction
Although the Sharks are the better side, I can see them struggling to put together a victory in this one. Give me the Tigers to cause the upset.
Tigers by 12
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Renegade
Roar Guru
The Sharkies are unbelievable, Flanno must be going grey!! They start every game terribly and just go through the motions for most parts of the match but as soon as they feel the game might be starting to get away from them - they all of a sudden turn it on and look lengths better than whoever the opposition may be. No margin or situation appears to be too big for them... pretty special 2nd half comeback with all the origin players out... I thought this would be a loss, happy to take the 2! Townsend had to shoulder on a fair bit tonight with the other key creative players not playing and he was brilliant, really stood up. Very entertaining Super Saturday considering it's a watered down Origin round!! Now just need the Blues to get up on Wednesday ?
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
The Sharks have stunned the Tigers with two tries in the last seven minutes to steal a two-point win at Shark Park. The start of the game was disjointed, as the two sides combined for five errors within the first six minutes. However, the Sharks caught the first break of the game, as Ava Semanufagai was sent to the bin in the seventh minute for a professional foul. And they probably should have scored with the man advantage, as Gerard Beale blew a certain try off an Edrick Lee kick. The Sharks would open the scoring through Kurt Capewell, but it wasn't without some controversy. A Townsend pass in the lead-up was suspect at best, but the refs allowed it as Kurt Capewell scored his first NRL try off an Edrick Lee offload. The Tigers would work their way back into the contest, and they would score their first try off a bit of brilliance from a first gamer. Matthew Eisenhuth came up with a classic flat ball near the line to send Elijah Taylor crashing over just beside the posts. They would score again before half time as well, as Esan Marsters crashed over some weak marker defence to score. Two conversion from Tuimoala Lolohea saw the Tigers take an eight-point lead into the break. Despite most expecting the Sharks to dominate coming out of the sheds, it was the Tigers that extended their lead after half time. Jacob Liddle would crash over from dummy-half, and the Tigers looked set to continue on with the job. The game would become an arm-wrestle for the next 20 minutes or so, and it was only broken by a beautiful set play from the Sharks. Mortimer, Paulo and Feki would combine up the middle, before a supporting Chad Townsend would snap up a try. Luke Brooks actually managed to run down Townsend, but he went for the one-on-one strip which allowed Townsend to get up and plant the ball. Despite this try, the Tigers looked in control, and a late try seemed to seal the game. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak scored in the corner off a beautiful cut out ball from Kevin Naiqama, and Lolohea would convert for an eight-point lead with 10 minutes remaining. But it wasn't to be for the Tigers, as both Edrick Lee and Jayson Bukuya would score to snatch the game. The final try came off a deft little kick from Mortimer, and the final kickoff was taken by Edrick Lee to end the game. The win sees the Sharks maintain their Top 4 spot, while the Tigers have sunk to the foot of the ladder with the loss.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Good job Tigers. Bozos.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Cronulla Sharks 24 Wests Tigers 22
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
79' It's a short kick off, but it's too deep, as Edrick Lee takes it with no pressure. The Sharks will win!!! Sharks 24 Tigers 22
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY SHARKS 78' The Sharks have broken the Tigers hearts here. Bukuya comes up with the winning try. CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Sharks 24 Tigers 22
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
VIDEO REF SHARKS 78' Nifty little grubber in from Mortimer, and Bukuya has scored!!! It's going upstairs, but there will be nothing wrong with this one!!! The Sharks with the comeback!!! Sharks 20 Tigers 22
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
77' They're forcing the Sharks to go 90 metres for this victory. Lee will get the first hit up, and he gets it to the 20. Now Bukuya with a strong run, but he's claimed well. Gallen with an offload, and Lewis gets away down the right flank. He's taken on the 10, but there's numbers everywhere for the Sharks. Sharks 20 Tigers 22
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
76' Big hit on Liddle from Prior, as the Sharks are doing everything they can to steal this one. Brooks will drive one towards the side-line, and he gets it to bounce out near the 10. That's a fantastic kick considering the situation. Sharks 20 Tigers 22
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
75' Strong run out from Gallen, as he gets the footy towards the 20. Now Lewis has a dart from dummy-half, and he gets it outside the 30. Now there's some space to run into for the Sharks. Gallen now with another strong run, as he drags Sue 10 metres into Tigers' territory. Nu Brown now gets an offload away to Tagataese, but he's coughed it up with the tryline beckoning. Sharks 20 Tigers 22
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY SHARKS 73' The clock becoming a factor here for the Sharks, as they make a move to the right side. There's not enough Tigers' jumpers out that side, and it's a simple transfer of passing that gets Lee over in the corner!! An assist for Capewell, who is putting together a very nice game. CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Sharks 20 Tigers 22
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
72' Eisenhuth with a poor pass to Taylor, so the Sharks will get another shot at the Tigers' line. The Tigers just need to settle down and complete a few sets here. Sharks 14 Tigers 22
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
71' Capewell tries to break through the line, but he's claimed at the 30. Now Prior bends the defensive line, before a move to the left side. Brown has some space here, but the ball to Feki is poor, and that stops any chance of a four pointer. Now Tagataese drops it cold, and the Tigers are off the hook. Sharks 14 Tigers 22
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
71' Bad mistake from the Tigers, as there's an ill-advised offload from Sue that doesn't end well. They're inviting the Sharks to get back into this. Sharks 14 Tigers 22
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL 70' Clutch kick from Lolohea. That one was pretty much on the sideline. Sharks 14 Tigers 22
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY TIGERS 69' No issues with the grounding. Huge kick coming up for Lolohea. Sharks 14 Tigers 20
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
VIDEO REF TIGERS 68' Feki has lost the ball, so the Tigers will go on the attack. Brooks takes on the line, and he's pulled down by Mortimer. Taylor now is close to scoring, but he's a couple of metres away. Now the Tigers come left, and Naiqama has put through a special ball to Watene-Zelezniak. He still has some work to do, but I reckon he's scored here!! They'll check this one regardless. Sharks 14 Tigers 16
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
67' Townsend with a high kick towards Naiqama, and he'll take this one on the chest. Watene-Zelezniak has a go at the line here, before Nofoaluma is well claimed by Prior. Seumanufagai now with a very strong run, and Lolohea will put a high ball towards Beale. He'll take it, but he's tackled straight away by Marsters. Sharks 14 Tigers 16
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
The NRL is having a solid night, my internet is not. The Sharks currently in possession. Sharks 14 Tigers 16
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
63' Gallen takes the first hit up, before a strong run from Heighington gets them outside the 20. Paulo now drags a couple of defenders over the 30, and the Sharks are starting to get a roll on here. Sharks 14 Tigers 16