Roar Guru
Cronulla have ended an emotional rollercoaster of a week on a high after trouncing Newcastle 38-12 on Sunday.
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Final score
Cronulla Sharks 38
Newcastle Knights 12
The Cronulla Sharks host the Newcastle Knights at Southern Cross Group Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 2pm (AEST).
Both of these teams come into this match off the back of last-start wins, with the Knights holding off the Panthers and the Sharks ruining Johnathan Thurston’s Sydney farewell.
For Cronulla to snare a top-four spot, winning their last two games by wide margins is required. Their victory over the Storm a fortnight ago confirmed they are a premiership threat, but to win from outside the top four has not been done. There will always be a first time, but the Sharks will be hoping that they don’t need to create history.
Centre pairing Jesse Ramien and Ricky Leutele will both miss this game through injury, seeing Josh Dugan move into one centre role, while the versatile Kurt Capewell takes the other, as Edrick Lee returns from injury on the wing. The return of Wade Graham and Jayden Brailey strengthens their line up, with James Segeyaro and Scott Sorenson returning to the bench.
The Knights, outside top-eight contention but also safe from the spoon, would have been forgiven for a less intense performance last weekend. Instead, they were impressive against a disappointing Penrith, outplaying their opponents away from home. The halves pairing of Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga worked well while the Newcastle pack finished on top.
There are only a few changes to their team, with Chris Heighington replacing Luke Yates on the bench and Connor Watson is a chance for late inclusion given he was picked in the 21-man squad.
Prediction
The Sharks know how important this game is and that should be enough to get them home.
Cronulla by 14.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 2pm (AEST).