Knights v Sharks: Milford sidelined; Finucane to be rested
Second place, and with it a home match in the opening week of the finals, is on the line for the Sharks this Sunday, while the Knights will be keen to avoid finishing their season with four-straight defeats.
Cronulla moved into second last week with their win over the Bulldogs, coupled with the Cowboys losing, and will be keen to ensure they return to PointsBet Stadium for the finals, with 10 wins from 11 games there in 2022.
The Knights couldn't foot it with the Titans in a high-scoring match last week but will be desperate to finish on a high at home and give their fans something to smile about.
When these two sides met earlier this year the Sharks shut the Knights out 18-0.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Knights v Sharks
The Rundown
Team news
Knights: No further changes on Sunday ahead of kick-off. Skipper Jayden Brailey has dropped out on Saturday, his place taken by Chris Randall. Centre Krystian Mapapalangi is also out, replaced by Enari Tuala in jersey No.20. Simi Sasagi has joined the bench. Anthony Milford is out with a rib injury so Phoenix Crossland starts at five-eighth. Mat Croker moves into the starting side with Sauaso Sue dropping out.
Sharks: Dale Finucane dropped off the reserves list on Saturday and will be given another week to recover from the rib cartilage issue that sidelined him last week. Luke Metcalf has been added to the bench and Braydon Trindall is out. Connor Tracey (concussion) will be rested until the finals. Winger Matt Ikuvalu is back from a groin strain so Kayal Iro drops out. There were no further changes an hour out from kick-off.
Match: Knights v Sharks
Round 25 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tex HoyFullback for Sharks is number 1 Lachlan Miller
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick LeeWinger for Sharks is number 2 Matt Ikuvalu
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Knights is number 20 Enari TualaCentre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Dominic YoungWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Phoenix CrosslandFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Adam CluneHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 David KlemmerProp for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele
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Hooker for Knights is number 14 Chris RandallHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Daniel SaifitiProp for Sharks is number 10 Royce Hunt
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat CrokerLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob SaifitiInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Teig Wilton
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami SauloInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Aiden Tolman
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Jack JohnsInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew Fifita
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Interchange for Knights is number 18 Simi SasagiInterchange for Sharks is number 18 Luke Metcalf
Reserves
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Replacement for Knights is number 22 Hymel Hunt
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Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Jesse Colquhoun
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Key match-up
Chris Randall v Blayke Brailey: The Brailey brothers were poised to clash for just the third time in their careers at NRL level with Jayden holding a 2-0 advantage over his younger sibling but the Knights skipper's late withdrawal sees Chris Randall enter the fray. The Sharks No.9 leads the NRL in tackles made this year, averaging 42.6 per game, while Randall lines up for his 17th game of the season and his first since Round 17. The hard-working 26-year-old gets through 40 tackles a game himself so the middle will be well guarded by the two No.9s in this match.
Stat Attack
Only the Roosters average more tackle breaks per game than the Sharks' 35.2. That stat could be a problem for the Knights who as it is average 31.6 missed tackles per game in 2022.
Match: Knights v Sharks
Round 25 -
home Team
Knights
14th Position
away Team
Sharks
2nd Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
