THURSDAY JUNE 12th 2025 Shark Park Cronulla Sydney 7.50pm
The Southern Sydney derby is back — and it promises fireworks to kick off Round 15.
As Cronulla prepare to welcome the Dragons to Sharks Stadium, both sides are reeling from humbling defeats. The Sharks were outmuscled by the Warriors in Auckland, while St George Illawarra couldn’t keep pace with the Dolphins’ second-half surge.
Sitting fifth on the ladder, Cronulla are clinging to a spot inside the top eight, with a chasing pack breathing down their neck. A win here would help create some breathing room — and further assert their dominance over their traditional rivals.
The Dragons may be 11th, but the mid-table logjam means the stakes are just as high for them. They’re one of six sides locked on 14 competition points, level with the seventh-placed Dolphins. A victory on enemy turf could vault them back into finals contention — and snap a painful drought in the process.
Because in derby terms, recent history hasn’t been kind to the Red V. The Sharks have won the last nine meetings between the clubs — and 11 of the past 12. The Dragons haven’t tasted victory in the Shire since 2018, a stat that looms large as both teams try to shake off last week’s losses.
Cronulla are boosted by the return of winger Ronaldo Mulitalo from suspension, with Mawene Hiroti shifting into the centres to cover for KL Iro (pectoral). Meanwhile, prop Toby Rudolf is inching closer to a comeback, named among the reserves as he recovers from a syndesmosis injury.
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti . 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake. 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton . 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai . 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Jayden Berrell. 21. Toby Rudolf 22. Billy Burns
Out: KL Iro (centre)
In: Ronaldo Mulitalo (wing)
Changes: Mawene Hiroti (wing to centre)
With Valentine Holmes away on Origin duty, the Cowboys have turned to Corey Allan to fill the void in the centres — a shift that brings both experience and versatility to their backline. Tyrell Sloan also makes a timely return on the wing, stepping in for Christian Tuipulotu, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Up front, Emre Guler earns a promotion to the starting side after serving as 18th man in the loss to the Dolphins, taking on a key role in the engine room. In the back row, Luciano Leilua comes into the starting lineup, with Raymond Faitala-Mariner ruled out through illness.
Meanwhile, there’s a welcome sight on the interchange bench: Hame Sele is set to make his long-awaited return to NRL action, suiting up for his first game since Round 23 last season. His inclusion brings added depth and composure to a forward pack that will need to lift in a high-stakes clash.
Dragons,
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Nathan Lawson 3. Moses Suli 4. Corey Allan . 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook. 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Toby Couchman 13. Jack de Belin . 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hamish Stewart 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Hame Sele. 18. Blake Lawrie 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Michael Molo 21. Nicholas Tsougranis 22. Sione Finau
Out: Valentine Holmes (centre), Christian Tuipulotu (wing), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (second row), Blake Lawrie (front row to reserve)
In: Corey Allan (centre), Tyrell Sloan (wing), Emre Guler (front row), Hame Sele (bench)
Changes: Hamish Stewart (lock to bench), Jack De Belin (bench to lock), Luciano Leilua (bench to second row)
Key Stats
The Sharks have won their last nine games against the Dragons.
The Dragons have not won at Sharks Stadium since 2018.
Dragons centre Moses Suli will play his 150th NRL game.
Sharks second-rower Briton Nikora will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Referees, Grant Atkins, Touch Judges, Belinda Sharpe, Drew Oultram, Bunker Ashley Klein.
Tip
Both sides limp into this southern Sydney showdown with plenty to prove.
Cronulla were humbled on their home turf last week, outplayed in every department by a relentless Warriors outfit. The Dragons fared no better — completely blown off the park by the Dolphins in a performance that left fans and coaches searching for answers.
This derby clash isn’t just about pride — it’s about redemption. Both clubs must deliver a dramatic turnaround if they’re to walk away with the points. Then again, if they dish up more of the same from last week, it might come down to who’s slightly less ordinary.
Still, it’s hard to ignore the upside in Cronulla’s camp. Backed by the home crowd and boasting a recent stranglehold over their rivals, the Sharks have the firepower — and the motivation — to bounce back in style.
Sharks to steady the ship.
Check out the preview for Friday’s game here
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