Dragons
9
79
Sharks
20
| 79 |  | B. Brailey | ||
| 59 | | B. Xerri | ||
| 45 | | B. Xerri | ||
| B. Hunt |  | 39 | ||
| 37 |  | K. Flanagan | ||
| J. Field |  | 32 | ||
| C. McInnes | | 31 | ||
| 8 | | K. Flanagan | ||
| 6 | | B. Xerri | ||
| J. Field | | 4 |
| 1 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 1 | Field Goals | 0 |
The round 11 of NRL finishes with a local derby in the southern reaches of Sydney, with the St George Illawarra Dragons coming up against the Cronulla Sharks in Wollongong. Join the Roar from 4:05pm (AEST) for live scores and a blog of the game.
It’s been tough times for the Dragons this season, who despite their best efforts just can’t get things firing the way many had anticipated at the beginning of the season.
Coming into this game on the back of 4 straight losses, it’s fairly safe to say a win today is crucial to the rest of their season.
From the Dragons’ perspective, the Knights loss aside, what has possibly been the most disappointing thing about their losses has been the manner in which the Dragons have been competitive in matches, but fallen away when it has mattered the most.
Matt Dufty has lost his spot as a result of the team’s form, seeing Jonus Pearson coming into the side, and Zac Lomax moving into the fullback role.
Whatever is happening with the Dragons, they need to find a way to score points.
At the moment they are scoring just 17 points per game, and given that their defence just isn’t up to scratch at the moment, Jai Field and Ben Hunt need to get a bit more creative.
For the Sharks, there is an opportunity to jump into equal fourth with a win here today, and they would be one of four teams on 12 points in that log jam growing behind the Rabbitohs, Roosters and Storm.
The Sharks looked a bit off-kilter against Manly last round, but otherwise, they are coming into this game having picked up 3 wins out of their last 5.
So, the Sharks are not exactly out of form.
They will like their chances against an out of sorts local rival, and the chance to jump up the table with those two competition points.
Despite the loss of Shaun Johnson to injury, the Sharks have managed to still get the job done through Chad Townsend (remember, a premiership-winning halfback) and Kyle Flanagan.
Prediction
It is a pretty simple equation. The Sharks are in form, the Dragons are awfully out of form, and while the home field advantage should lift the Dragons considerably, it may not quite be enough.
Sharks by 10.
Join the Roar from 4:05pm (AEST) for live scores and updates, and don’t forget to leave a comment in the comment section below.
Game information
When: Sunday, 26 May 2019, 4:05pm (AEST)
Where: WIN Stadium Wollongong
TV: Channel 9, Fox Sports
Betting: Dragons $1.85, Sharks $1.95, Line 1.5 $1.90
St George Illawarra
1. Zac Lomax, 2. Jordan Pereira, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Timoteo Lafai, 5. Jonus Pearson, 6. Jai Field, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. James Graham, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Blake Lawrie.
Interchange: 14. Luciano Leilua, 15. Jacob Host, 16. Reece Robson, 17. Korbin Sims
Cronulla
1. Josh Dugan, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Bronson Xerri, 4. Josh Morris, 5. Aaron Gray, 6. Kyle Flanagan, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Matt Prior, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange: 14. Blayke Brailey, 15. Jayson Bukuya, 16. Jack Williams, 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Haha love the local derby banter :) Always good to win it regardless of circumstances, cheers mate... until the next one!
a
Roar Rookie
I don’t think Dragons will be in the finals this year
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Haha cheap shot away mate. I’m sure a shrinking violet like Gal won’t be too upset ???? Thanks for the call, you kept me in there when my TV got taken over by the kids. Up up
danwain
Guest
Mate, we rarely extended our winning runs to May!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Disappointing second half from the sharks, they put the cue in the rack once they got into the lead.... execution was poor otherwise they could’ve won by a bigger margin, still 2 points is 2 points. Just Moylan back made a huge difference, the importance of the missing stars cannot be understated as Moylan showed today based on his impact at the back vs Dugan in previous weeks....with SJ, Wade Graham and Woods back over the next couple games... the sharks are in a good spot to build towards the business end. Anyways ready to go into the lull that origin will provide next round... not much to look forward to next round. Thanks for the call Karlo!
Renegade
Roar Guru
They might have been bad but still better than the opposition and It’s round 11, so couldn’t care less... just happy to get the 2 points this time of year specially with big names being out for so long.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Nah, I agree Dogs B. I might have had a little cheap shot in my final post, but he's got the runs on the board, he can have the final conversion.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Thankfully the comp isn’t won in May - I know you might think otherwise being a dragons fan :) .... nor is it based on how much you beat the dragons by, funnily enough!
Emcie
Roar Guru
Not one for the purists, but it certainly wasn't predictable
perry cox
Roar Guru
Nah, my pleasure MC. That was good fun following the doubleheader. I know the second game wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but I can tell you updating it, it felt like 1,000 miles a minute.
Danwain
Guest
Sharks are pretty rubbish, is this side really considered a threat to win the comp?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah I love when your comment comes back to bite you.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Probably why Gal took the conversion. Just like his last game at Suncorp this hasn't been a happy hunting ground for him.
danwain
Guest
Ok, so next time my team does a bunch of dumb stuff in a game, I'll just say we are unlucky, that will do it!
Emcie
Roar Guru
Cheers for the call Karlo
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Well the Sharks pulled the pins out of the voodoo doll with this one. I think it’s been several seasons since they picked up a win down there.
79
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full time Paul Gallen, ever the shrinking violet who hates the spotlight, takes the final kick for goal from in front. The Sharks are victors in what was a tight affair. That brings to an end the Roar's rugby league coverage for the afternoon. Thanks for joining us! St George Illawarra - 9 Cronulla Sharks - 22
Emcie
Roar Guru
Well, the Dragons certainly need next weeks bye
MORDAC
Guest
Widdop is the 3rd best 5/8 at SGI.