Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
16
Match Complete
Dolphins
36
| N. Hynes |  | 67 | ||
| T. Wilton |  | 66 | ||
| 53 | | J. Isaako | ||
| 51 | | V. T. Whare | ||
| N. Hynes | | 39 | ||
| W. Kennedy | | 38 | ||
| R. Mulitalo | | 36 | ||
| 33 | | J. Isaako | ||
| 31 | | T. Niu | ||
| 28 | | J. Isaako | ||
| 26 | | C. Lemuelu | ||
| 23 | | J. Isaako | ||
| 22 | | V. T. Whare | ||
| 18 | | J. Isaako | ||
| 16 | | H. Tabuai-Fidow | ||
| 7 | | J. Isaako | ||
| 5 | | I. Katoa |
| 3 | Tries | 6 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 6 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
NRL’s Magic Round continues as the Cronulla Sharks take on the Dolphins. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEST).
After a rocky start to the year, the Sharks currently sit in second spot on the NRL ladder. Nicho Hynes continues to orchestrate the attack with ease, providing great leadership both on and off the field.
For this match, Braden Hamlen-Uele is out due to an MCL injury, with Royce Hunt promoted to starting prop. Dale Finucane is back in the Sharks’ starting side, as Cameron McInnes is demoted to the interchange.
The NRL’s new franchise has had a positive impact on the competition so far, only sitting outside the top eight due to points differential. Wayne Bennett will coach his 900th game of first grade rugby league, and he will get his boys fired up for the occasion.
Robert Jennings is dropped for Tesi Niu, while the big inclusion for the Dolphins is Anthony Milford, with the Samoan international named on the interchange. Although the hamstrung Brenko Lee has been named at centre, Valynce Te Whare is likely to make his NRL debut should the Queensland representative fail his fitness tests before kick-off.
Prediction
The Sharks are brimming with confidence as they march to Brisbane aiming to extend their three-match winning streak. However, they have not won a Magic Round clash since 2019.
The Dolphins have had some memorable victories at Suncorp Stadium in their short NRL history ,and will hope to create more memorable moments this week. If they can start better, the Dolphins should run away with it, but the Sharks should have too much firepower in this clash.
Sharks by 12.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
TV: Fox League
Streaming: Kayo Sports
Betting: Sharks $1.36, Dolphins $3.20 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Sharks
1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Jack Williams 16. Wade Graham 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Connor Tracey 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. Mawene Hiroti 22. Jayden Berrell
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Anthony Milford 16. Mason Teague 17. Herman Ese’ese 18. Kurt Donoghoe 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Edrick Lee 21. Valynce Te Whare 22. JJ Collins
Nat
Roar Guru
Yeah, sage advice I should have followed. Maybe today? Probably not... :unhappy:
danwain
Roar Rookie
800k to make a heap of tackles with no attacking output, seems a waste of cap space
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Some people say that , but it’s just crap. Passed forward a metre is passed forward a metre. With that garbage , nothing would be a forward pass. If it looks forward out of the hands , it’s forward.
matth
Roar Guru
3 each
matth
Roar Guru
59 tackles
matth
Roar Guru
Depends on the momentum of the runners.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yep, going for the bye next year :laughing: Worst performance last year was magic round as well.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
What was the penalty count?
souvalis
Roar Rookie
If it means 2 points wouldn't want it any other way.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
You guys must hate Magic Round Rene. Maybe lobby to be the team that misses out next year .
danwain
Roar Rookie
It certainly seems that way, not sure what he adds for the money he would be on
danwain
Roar Rookie
Oh I'm not silly enough for that, but the Titans may be a decent shout
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
I hope Hynes is overlooked. The Maroons will thump the Blues big time this series and Im more than happy to sacrifice Luai and keep Hynes safe on the bench or just till next year.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I'll watch with bated breath as you change your tip tomorrow for Cows over chooks...
Renegade
Roar Guru
Completely outplayed and outmuscled tonight, first time it’s happened this season but the sharks get a huge wake up call. The dolphins had finals intensity in the first half and the sharks just weren’t up for that. Effort earns rewards, not enough from Cronulla tonight but 200% from the dolphins - what a performance, not many better 40 mins this year than what they produced in the first 40. They certainly did it for Wayne, congrats to them. The kid on debut just had one that dreams are made up, the phins just keep producing more and more surprises in their inaugural season - I hope they keep doing more!
Phil
Roar Rookie
Good win to Redcliffe on the back of a brilliant first half. Cronulla fans needn't worry too much as every team has an off day and today was Cronulla's. They are too good a side to lose like that again. For the new boys, very solid performance all round. Big Val had a good debut although I thought he slipped a bit in defence late in the first half but made up for it in attack. Both teams deserve to be in the top eight.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Thank you all joining the blog this evening. I will take a short break and then be back for the main course of Magic Round - Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Games like these is where Nicho Hynes would be highly judged on by Brad Fittler. Jarome Luai had a good game earlier today. Hynes did not. With the Sharks struggling in big games, you could understand as to why Hynes is overlooked for Origin Game I
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
I don’t like putting young players on a pedestal, but what a player Isaiya Katoa is already. Played for Tonga before his NRL debut and has all the traits to be a great game managing half. Great kicking game, good tackling technique and has a developing running game as well. Peter O’Sullivan deserves all the plaudits for the signing.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Good call Arnab/ :thumbup: