ROUND 11 SATURDAY 18th MAY 2024 SUNCORP STADIUM BRISBANE
- Roosters vs. Sharks: NRL Magic Round Preview
Roosters vs. Sharks: NRL Magic Round Preview
The NRL’s most potent attacking team faces off against the competition’s best defensive unit in a highly anticipated Magic Round showdown on Saturday afternoon.
The Roosters have hit their stride in the past three weeks, amassing 138 points in victories over the Dragons, Broncos, and Warriors, bringing their season average to 29.6 points per game.
Roosters’ Potent Attack vs. Sharks’ Solid Defense
The Sharks extended their winning streak to six with a victory over the Storm in enemy territory in Round 10. Their defense shone once more, limiting Melbourne’s potent attack to just 18 points, slightly above their season average of 14 points per game conceded in 2024.
Sharks’ Winning Streak
The Sharks are anxiously awaiting the status of star playmaker Nicho Hynes, who was a late withdrawal from the Storm game due to calf tightness. If Hynes is unable to play, Daniel Atkinson will again step in after his composed performance on Saturday night.
Sharks Line-up
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes, 14. Jack Williams 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Royce Hunt 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha , 18. Samuel Stonestreet 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Braydon Trindall 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Billy Burns
When the sides last met it was the Roosters sending Cronulla packing from the 2023 finals series with a tense 13-12 elimination final victory thanks to a Sam Walker field goal in the 73rd minute.
Key Matchup: Walker’s Form vs. Sharks’ Defense
Walker is poised to be a key figure once more, arriving at Magic Round in sublime form with four try assists, two tries, and 21 goals during the Roosters’ three-game winning streak.
Roosters Line-up
Roosters.
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Fetalaiga Pauga 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley, 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Terrell May, 18. Zach Dockar-Clay 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Sitili Tupouniua 21. Ethan King 22. Siua Wong
Referee: Adam Gee, Touch Judge: Kasey Badger, Touch Judge: Jon Stone, Bunker. Ashley Klein
Controversy Surrounding NRL Officials
With Kasey Badger as touch judge who knows what you will get.She is hopeless.
In fact last week so many officials were bad. None worse than the Harry Grant sin bin by Grant Aitkins, and backed up in the Bunker by Adam Gee. Terrible Decisions.
Landmark Decision: Harry Grant Found Not Guilty
In a landmark hearing at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night, Storm star Harry Grant has been declared NOT GUILTY of a grade one dangerous contact charge. This decision holds significant weight as it could have established a strict precedent regarding what constitutes illegal contact on kickers.
Annesley’s Call for Discretion
Graham Annesley has urged his match officials to exercise discretion when making contentious calls, following his long-awaited verdict on the most scrutinized refereeing decision of the year.
Discretion, be buggered, get a brain ,AND, some decent refs.
While we have professional players in the NRL, some of the officials are very poor. None worse than Badger.
Head-to-Head Records
The Sharks are aiming for seven straight wins for the first time since 2016.
The Roosters have won eight of their past nine games against the Sharks.
The Sharks have won only one of their past seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
Roosters winger Daniel Tupou will play his 250th NRL game.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored four tries in five games against the Roosters.
Prediction
This match promises to be the highlight of the round, as the Sharks maintained their position at the top of the ladder with a victory over the Storm last week, while the Roosters continued their trend of dominating opponents with a convincing win over the Warriors. The Sharks have proven their ability to grind out results, but they’ll face a significant test against the Roosters’ formidable attack. In what is expected to be a closely contested match, the Roosters are favored to emerge victorious.
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