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).
David Holden
Roar Guru
The back 5 had a day out for the Sharks, with Holmes running 240m and Feki and Capewell both in excess of 180m
David Holden
Roar Guru
Well, Shane Flanagan insisted on a better second half performance and the Sharks delivered with a great second 40 minutes, featuring some great tries. The Knights were brave, finishing with only 2 players on their bench. The Sharks laid the platform through the forwards, with Fifita, Woods and Gallen all making big metres. Townsend and Flanagan played well off the go forward creating a number of tries. The Sharks points differential is now ahead of the Dragons but St George now has the chance to take that lead back. What did you think of that, Roarers?
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT The Knights throw the ball around again but it breaks down and the Sharks have continued their push into the top 4 with a 38-12 win. Sharks 38 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
80' Luke Lewis is on the field for the end of the game. Feki makes another break but Graham puts down the inside pass Sharks 38 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
79' In his final game for the Sharks, Lee has kicked the conversion Sharks 38 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
77' That is just brilliant. The Sharks go down the left hand side and Feki makes a long run before kicking back in-field. Townsend takes it on full at pace and has scored under the posts. TRY Sharks 36 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
76' Newcastle throwing the ball around. Pearce's kick is taken by Holmes Sharks 32 Knights 12
Saint
Guest
I know that Fox replayed it, but I'm still pretty sure that was a knock-on
David Holden
Roar Guru
74' Short kick off taken again by Sharks. Gallen makes inspirational run. Townsend's bomb is taken by Meaney Sharks 32 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
73' Conversion from Holmes is good. Sharks 32 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
71' Short kick off taken by Capewell. Dugan makes a break down right. Graham's bomb is batted back by Dugan to Lee who has scored his second try. TRY. Sharks 30 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
69' Fifita taken just short. Possible crusher tackle. Accidental contact but a penalty is awarded. Sharks will look to take the 2 points. Holmes conversion is good. Sharks 26 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
68' Mata'utia has made a mistake in the play the ball and the Sharks will go on the attack Sharks 24 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
67' Sharks make good yards again. Townsend's bomb is padded back but Lee has knocked on Sharks 24 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
65' Holmes has dropped the kick but Newcastle penalised for offside. Lucky break there for Cronulla. Sharks 24 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
63' Knights kick is charged down again. Sharks go left again but defence holds. Sio runs after a Shark mistake and almost gets away Sharks 24 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
63' Good set from Sharks and Townsend's bomb taken by Meaney Sharks 24 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
62' Holmes is the first Cronulla player to score 20 tries in a season. Prior brings it back Sharks 24 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
61' Holmes' conversion is good. Sharks 24 Knights 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
60' The Sharks go right and Holmes has gone straight through the gap, beaten Meaney and is in under the posts. TRY Sharks 22 Knights 12