SATURDAY MARCH 23rd 2024 LEICHARDT OVAL SYDNEY AUSTRALIA
When they journey to Leichhardt Oval to take on the Tigers on Saturday night, the Sharks will harbor confidence in securing their third consecutive victory to start the season.
Sharks Eye Third Consecutive Victory Against Tigers at Leichhardt Oval
Cronulla have impressed, especially with their defence, across the first two rounds of the season, holding the Warriors scoreless from the 12th minute and conceding just one try against the Bulldogs in last week’s 25-6 victory.
Craig Fitzgibbon’s side were known as flat track bullies last season, beating up the weaker sides and collapsing against the competition’s elite. It remains to be seen if that will change in 2024.
Tigers’ Early Struggles: Marshall’s Challenge to Turn the Tide
Meanwhile, the Tigers didn’t get off to a great start after enjoying the bye in Round 1, suffering a 32-12 defeat on the road to the Raiders.
Lineup Changes: Sezer’s Promotion and Marshall’s Halfback Dilemma
Benji Marshall has a lot of work to do as the club icon attempts to turn their fortunes around and he’s opted to promote veteran Aidan Sezer into the starting side at the expense of Jayden Sullivan.
Although there were a few encouraging indications, particularly the debut performance of five-eighth Lachlan Galvin and the continued development seen in fullback Jahream Bula, the joint venture couldn’t shake off some of the familiar issues that have troubled them over the past few years, resulting in a 32-12 defeat to the Raiders.
Key Matchup: Sharks’ Forward Pack Ready for Battle at Leichhardt
They’ll need to have that cleaned up before facing Craig Fitzgibbon’s men at Leichhardt Oval, after the Sharks punished the Bulldogs for similar shortcomings last week in an eventual 25-6 win, which was led by a standout performance from halfback Nicho Hynes.
It remains to be seen what Marshall will do with his halves combination after he took Jayden Sullivan out of the game in favour of Aidan Sezer after 56 minutes in Round 2.
Historical Stats: Sharks’ Recent Dominance Over Tigers
Sharks have won 10 of the last 11 meetings between the teams
Sharks have won the last four meetings by 24+ points
Under 55.5 total points has landed in nine of the last 10 meetings
Sharks have seen 28 & 31 total points in their two games this season
Sione Katoa has scored five tries in his last two games vs Tigers
Charlie Staines has scored seven tries in his last three games vs Sharks
Jesse Ramien has scored a try in six of his last seven games with Sharks as favourites
Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored a try in seven of his last eight games
Team line-ups
Tigers
1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Samuela Fainu 18. Asu Kepaoa 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Justin Matamua 21. Alexander Lobb 22. Brent Naden
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Jack Williams 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Dale Finucane 15. Royce Hunt 16. Billy Burns 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Kayal Iro 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Daniel Atkinson 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Jayden Berrell
Referee: Chris Butler, Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
The Sharks are set to receive two huge boosts in the forward pack with Royce Hunt expected to be OK after missing last week with illness and Braden Hamlin-Uele closing in on a return from a knee injury.
PREDICTION.
Justin Olam is good to go after recovering from a knee injury. He joins last week’s debutant Solomona Faataape in the centres with Starford To’a set to miss eight weeks after undergoing ankle injury. Veteran playmaker Aidan Sezer has been promoted to start the game at No.7 with Jayden Sullivan shifted to the bench. Fonua Pole is named to start at lock with Alex Seyfarth moving to the interchange.
Briton Nikora’s suspension sees Jack Williams move into the starting side. Royce Hunt returns after missing last week’s game due to a virus and joins the bench. Billy Burns comes onto the interchange for Tuku Hau Tapuha and is set to make his club debut.
I have to go with the Sharks here. The Tigers will enjoy the noisy fans at Leichardt Oval, but that may not be enough to get them home.
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