Sharks
18
Match Complete
Dragons
12
| S. Johnson |  | 77 | ||
| B. Xerri |  | 75 | ||
| 64 | | G. Widdop | ||
| 63 | | L. Leilua | ||
| 36 | | G. Widdop | ||
| 35 | | J. Ford | ||
| S. Johnson | | 22 | ||
| S. Feki | | 20 | ||
| S. Johnson | | 19 | ||
| A. Woods | | 17 |
| 3 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Match result:
The Cronulla Sharks have beaten the St George Illawarra Dragons 18-12 in an ugly edition of the local derby. The Sharks now move back into the top eight and continue their finals push while the Dragons still haven’t won consecutive games since Round 6.
In what was perhaps the worst game of the season the two teams combined for 33 errors and 11 penalties and at points both teams looked like they wanted to lose.
The Sharks started the game relatively strongly and in the first half they were dominant across all areas of the park, leading 12-6 at the break. Only a couple bad last passes stopped the score from being well out of reach of the Dragons in the first forty and Bronson Xerri continues to be hot and cold with his handling.
In the second half the feeling was completely reversed as the Dragons were camped in the Sharks 20 but their attacking combinations never even looked like threatening the Sharks.
After an eternity they got an opportunity through some ugly broken play that Leilua, playing as a makeshift half once Ben Hunt was taken off with concussion, ran through to score.
In the end the Sharks managed to nab a late try after a kick was left to bounce by the Dragons backs and Xerri picked it up to score under the posts.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor will no doubt be full of praise for his team after they played the back end of the game with only one interchange as Tyson Frizell, Ben Hunt and Patrick Kaufusi all succumbed to their HIA tests.
However, the reality is the Dragons attack was bad for the whole game and never looked like it would trouble the Sharks. Only a mistake from Moylan and some major broken play allowed them to score and all their actual attacking combinations looked toothless and slow.
On the other hand the Sharks looked like they would score on every attacking set and need to figure out how to relax and not overplay their hand when they get an opportunity.
In the end the better team won but this game raises far more questions than it answers and the Sharks will need to find these solutions quickly.
Final score
Cronulla Sharks 18
St George Illawarra Dragons 12
Match preview:
The Cronulla Sharks will be hoping to restart their charge for the finals when they take on the St George Illawarra Dragons this Sunday at PointsBet Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 4:05pm AEST.
The Sharks are still desperately trying to nab one of the final two spots in the top eight and now, after the Broncos and Knights both won this weekend, their margin for error has become razor thin.
A loss to their local rivals here would mean their next three games basically turn into elimination finals. These games include fixtures against the high flying Raiders and the equally desperate Tigers at Leichhardt in Round 25, a prospect that would be very uncomfortable if it turns out to be a do-or-die game.
On the other hand the Dragons are playing for nothing more than pride and the chance to spoil their bitter enemies chance at a second premiership.
The Dragons have been extremely disappointing all season and now, with an almost full strength team, they will be looking for some positive signs they can take into the offseason.
An away win that puts the Sharks on the brink of elimination would be a tasty prize in a season devoid of much enjoyment for the red and white army.
The key matchup will be on the Dragons right edge, which leaked an astonishing 22 points last weekend against the last place Titans.
This weekend Euan Aitken and Zac Lomax will be up against representative quality players in Josh Dugan and Josh Morris.
If the Dragons combination isn’t much improved then this will be an absolute blood bath and the game could be over quick.
Prediction
The Dragons would love to beat their rivals and they have the cattle to match them in the middle but their horrific edge defence will make them easy pickings for the Sharks outside backs.
Sharks by 16
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 4:05pm AEST.
Kick-off: 4:05pm (AEST)
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware
TV: Live, Fox League 501, Channel 9
Online: Live, Kayo Sports, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, NRL Digital Pass, 9Now
Betting: Cronulla $1.34, St George Illawarra $3.20
Overall record: Played 43 Cronulla 20, St. George Illawarra 22, 1 Draw
Last meeting: Round 11 2019, St. George Illawarra Dragons 9 defeated by the Cronulla Sharks 22 at WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Record at venue: Sharks 11, Dragons 7
Referees: Adam Gee, Jon Stone
Sharks
1. Matt Moylan
2. Sosaia Feki
3. Bronson Xerri
4. Josh Dugan
5. Josh Morris
6. Shaun Johnson
7. Chad Townsend
8. Aaron Woods
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Matt Prior
11. Briton Nikora
12. Wade Graham
13. Paul Gallen
Interchange
14. Kurt Capewell
15. Jack Williams
16. Billy Magoulias
17. Braden Hamlin-Uele
Dragons
1. Corey Norman
2. Jason Saab
3. Euan Aitken
4. Tim Lafai
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Gareth Widdop (C)
7. Ben Hunt
8. James Graham
9. Cameron McInnes
10. Paul Vaughan
11. Patrick Kaufusi
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Tyson Frizell
Interchange
14. Jeremy Latimore
15. Korbin Sims
16. Blake Lawrie
17. Jackson Ford
Gol Karal
Guest
Thought it will be dragon who be coming strong against Sharks, how ever fair game for both teams :stoked: :silly:
terrykidd
Roar Pro
True for years past mate but not now ..... the interpretations are now any touch, back, forward, up, down, underground, all deemed knock on
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Try being a Dragons supporter mate ....... sigh
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
A dire ,dour ,drab, match.The Sharks were lucky, and will need to get their act together over the next 3 weeks, else they'll be fodder for the big guys, if they end up making the 8. No cohesion and panic in attack, positional play at times is park football stuff, and all this at their home ground where the win record this year is horrendous. Being a Shark's supporter ,is like dying the death of a thousand cuts ,with salt added.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Ba ha ha ha ahaaaaaa ha ah ahaa ha ha aahhaaaaa. Crap, that WAS funny, :thumbup: got to pay that one.
Illawarra Flame
Roar Rookie
Surely it is obvious now that Paul McGregor has lost the dressing room. I almost felt sorry for the guy seeing him looking on the verge of a serious mental breakdown in the coach's box. For the sake of this guy's well being and the team's future Dragons management should end this farce and gently ease him into some other job in the Dragons organisation with all the other old boys. He's starting to make Price look good.
thomas c
Guest
One of the views made the deflection really obvious from Wade Graham. Sounded like the ref just decided to pretend it didn't happen. Dragons played well considering their luck. It's difficult to have 3 players ruled out and not consider teams should be allowed a back up player (maybe if 2 fail concussion or if a player is concussed due to foul play). It's not likely, but you could lose 2 players in a single incident in the first five minutes and then have 30,000 people in the crowd watch a game that just isn't worth being seen. (It would, however, be unenviable to be a backup)
Nat
Roar Guru
Am I on my Pat Malone inn thinking the touch didn't matter because it went back to Xerri?
Nat
Roar Guru
Broncs Cowboys at least had better dustups - by today's standards.
Watda
Guest
Now I know why you are so jealous of the Roosters?? Lol
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
This is the first time I've experienced a bad win. It's an unusual experience.
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
As a Sharks fan I don't think I've ever been this cranky over a win. I don't think they deserved it, although the Dragons were thoroughly crap as well. Highlight of the match was Wade Graham admitting he touched the ball with his arm, but wasn't about to run up to ref and tell him.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I can sort of get that, it wouldn’t have filled you with much confidence looking ahead. Hopefully they can put it together soon, Sharks have an awesome team. Good luck. They should account for Warriors and Tigers, don’t know about Raiders. 26 should sneak you in though.
John Collison
Roar Pro
Match Report The Cronulla Sharks have beaten the St. George Illawarra Dragons 18-12 in an ugly edition of the local derby. The Sharks now move back into the top 8 and continue their finals push while the Dragons still haven’t won consecutive games since Round 6. In what was perhaps the worst game of the season the two teams combined for 33 errors and 11 penalties and at points both teams looked like they wanted to lose. The Sharks started the game relatively strongly and in the first half they were dominant across all areas of the park, leading 12-6 at the break. Only a couple bad last passes stopped the score from being well out of reach of the Dragons in the first forty and Bronson Xerri continues to be hot and cold with his handling. In the second half the feeling was completely reversed as the Dragons were camped in the Sharks 20 but their attacking combinations never even looked like threatening the Sharks. After an eternity they got an opportunity through some ugly broken play that Leilua, playing as a makeshift half once Ben Hunt was taken off with concussion, ran through to score. In the end the Sharks managed to nab a late try after a kick was left to bounce by the Dragons backs and Xerri picked it up to score under the posts. Dragons coach Paul McGregor will no doubt be full of praise for his team after they played the back end of the game with only one interchange as Tyson Frizell, Ben Hunt and Patrick Kaufusi all succumbed to their HIA tests. However, the reality is the Dragons attack was bad for the whole game and never looked like it would trouble the Sharks. Only a mistake from Moylan and some major broken play allowed them to score and all their actual attacking combinations looked toothless and slow. On the other hand the Sharks looked like they would score on every attacking set and need to figure out how to relax and not overplay their hand when they get an opportunity. In the end the better team won but this game raises far more questions than it answers and the Sharks will need to find these solutions quickly.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Honestly mate, I’ve felt happier after losses lol
My Little Pony
Roar Rookie
Imagine what they'll be like at Northies in a couple hours.
Renegade
Roar Guru
The sharks main objective today wasn’t to get back into the top 8, it was to break the world record for most bombed tries in one half - which they accomplished... good job Sharkies! And then in the second half, they were part of 40 mins of footy that will go into the grand final with the broncos-cowboys as the worst of 2019. Two major achievements above! Now time to burn all copies of that game and erase it from memory :thumbup:
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
It was how lots of mates described it to me. You seemed to understand as well. ;)
Soda
Roar Rookie
The Cam Mcguinness try saving tackle was the only good piece of footy out of such a woeful display.
My Little Pony
Roar Rookie
Are you speaking from experience?