Sharks v Dragons: Nikora back from rest; Liddle set for return
Fresh off their drought-breaking win, the Dragons head into their local derby against the Sharks looking to snare another big win.
Currently a top-eight team, Cronulla have shown they can mix it with the best of them in the competition, but they have been too inconsistent for their coach Craig Fitzgibbon's liking and won't be taking their opposition lightly.
The Dragons head to Cronulla having completed a hard-fought 30-26 win against the Broncos, where they were quick out of the blocks and were able to hold on against a fast-finishing Brisbane side.
The Sharks put in a strong performance in their last game as well, starting strongly and maintaining their advantage against a highly-fancied Sea Eagles outfit in their 28-22 win.
Match: Sharks v Dragons
Round 14 -
home Team
Sharks
8th Position
away Team
Dragons
17th Position
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Sharks: Maroons star Briton Nikora is back after being rested last week but Nicho Hynes (calf) and Blayke Brailey (arm) are missing. Billy Burns moves to the bench Jayden Berrell gets the nod at hooker. A couple of big names listed in the reserves with KL Iro (knee laceration) and Sione Katoa (ankle) nearing their return from injury.
Dragons: Hooker Jacob Liddle is back from a hamstring injury while damaging edge forward Jaydn Su'A is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a calf injury. Tyrell Sloan drops back to the reserves after an eight-minute cameo off the bench last week.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
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Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel StonestreetWinger for Dragons is number 2 Setu Tu
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Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Dragons is number 3 Moses Suli
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Centre for Sharks is number 4 Mawene HirotiCentre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine Holmes
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Dragons is number 5 Mathew Feagai
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Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
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Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Niwhai PuruHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
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Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Dragons is number 8 Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
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Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden BerrellHooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
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Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby RudolfProp for Dragons is number 10 Toby Couchman
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Dylan Egan
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Hamish Stewart
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Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Dragons is number 13 Ryan Couchman
Interchange
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Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa TalakaiInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
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Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy BurnsInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Josh Kerr
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Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jesse ColquhounInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Luciano Leilua
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Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas HazeltonInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Blake Lawrie
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Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa PuruInterchange for Dragons is number 18 Lyhkan King-Togia
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Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Dragons is number 19 Emre Guler
Reserves
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Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Riley JonesReserve for Dragons is number 20 Tyrell Sloan
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Reserve for Sharks is number 21 KL IroReserve for Dragons is number 21 Jaydn Su'A
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Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Sione KatoaReserve for Dragons is number 22 Nathan Lawson
Sharks Ins
- Briton Nikora
- KL Iro
- Oregon Kaufusi
- Sione Katoa
Dragons Ins
- Jacob Liddle
- Jaydn Su'A
- Nathan Lawson
Sharks Outs
- Blayke Brailey
Dragons Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won 10 of their last 11 games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have not won at Ocean Protect Stadium since 2018.
- The Sharks have won four from five at Ocean Protect Stadium this season.
- Dragons winger Setu Tu has scored four tries in his last five games.
- Sharks second-rower Teig Wilton has scored five tries in his last three games at Ocean Protect Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
