Sharks v Titans: Finucane a late inclusion; Clark cleared to play
Two teams at opposite ends of the table and worlds apart in terms of semi-final aspirations as we head into the second half of the season.
Under new coach Craig Fitzgibbon the Sharks are putting together an impressive campaign although a lack of consistency has become something of a concern with their last eight games reading L-W-L-W-L-W-L-W.
The Titans, meanwhile, would happily settle for such a record having dropped nine of their past 10 games and conceded 282 points in the process.
When they clashed in round 11 it was the Sharks getting home by a slender margin after scores had been level at half-time so the Titans can at least take some confidence out of that performance as they search for a morale-boosting win.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Sharks v Titans
The Rundown
Team news
Sharks: Skipper Dale Finucane will make his return from a knee injury off the bench, replacing Andrew Fifita in the 17. There are no other changes for the Sharks with Connor Tracey listed as 18th man.
Titans: There are no late changes for the struggling Titans. AJ Brimson (COVID protocols) returns at fullback allowing Jamayne Isaako to go back to the wing and Esan Marsters drops to the reserves. Erin Clark (ribs) will take his place in the side. Kevin Proctor dropped out of the squad on Friday and will likely return next week.
Match: Sharks v Titans
Round 15 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Titans is number 2 Greg Marzhew
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa TalakaiCentre for Titans is number 4 Patrick Herbert
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Titans is number 5 Jamayne Isaako
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt MoylanFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Paul Turner
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Titans is number 7 Toby Sexton
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby RudolfProp for Titans is number 8 Jarrod Wallace
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Titans is number 9 Erin Clark
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Royce HuntProp for Titans is number 10 Isaac Liu
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Sam McIntyre
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Aiden TolmanInterchange for Titans is number 14 Tanah Boyd
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Braydon TrindallInterchange for Titans is number 15 Moeaki Fotuaika
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Teig WiltonInterchange for Titans is number 16 Jaimin Jolliffe
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Dale FinucaneInterchange for Titans is number 17 Sam Lisone
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Connor TraceyReplacement for Titans is number 18 Jojo Fifita
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Key match-up
Sione Katoa v Greg Marzhew: The power, the pace, the tackle busting and the tries. It's all on show here as Sharks right winger Katoa goes head-to-head with the Titans' left winger Marzhew, who ran for 272 metres against the Bunnies and made a mess of the defence with a barnstorming try in the first half. Katoa helped himself to a hat-trick against the Warriors and had seven tackle breaks as he continued a fine season which has him equal fifth on the try-scoring charts with 10 in 12 games.
Stat Attack
The Titans are 0-6 away from home in 2022 and the Sharks are 5-1 at PointsBet Stadium but this game will be played on neutral territory in Coffs Harbour. Some of the Titans' best showings have been away from the confines of Cbus Super Stadium, pushing the Eels to four points in round one, going down to the Raiders by just two in round three, stretching Manly at 4 Pines Park in round six before losing 26-18 and blasting out of the blocks to lead Brisbane 24-4 at half-time at Suncorp in round 12 before going down by 11 points.
Match: Sharks v Titans
Round 15 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Titans
15th Position
Venue: C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour
