Sharks Return Home Hungry to Reignite Finals Push
After a much-needed break, the Cronulla Sharks are ready to reignite their finals charge—and it all begins under the lights at Shark Park this Friday night against a refreshed Dolphins outfit.
Both clubs emerge from the bye with their sights set firmly on September. For the Sharks, the timing couldn’t be better. Back-to-back losses before the break saw Craig Fitzgibbon’s men slip from the top four conversation, but with their season delicately poised, they’ll be desperate to turn things around in front of the faithful in the Shire.
It hasn’t been an easy mid-season stretch for Cronulla, but history says they’re never an easy proposition at home. And with the finals race tightening, expect a response.
Only one tweak has been made to the 17 that went down to Melbourne a fortnight ago—Daniel Atkinson comes onto the bench, replacing Billy Burns in a subtle but strategic switch aimed at sharpening Cronulla’s bench rotation.
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai. 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. Toby Rudolf. 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Burns 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Niwhai Puru. 21. Michael Gabrael 22. Jayden Berrell
Out: Billy Burns (bench to reserve)
In: Daniel Atkinson (bench)
Dolphins Eye Top-Eight Stability Amid Key Changes
The Dolphins return from the bye brimming with belief after dismantling South Sydney in a dominant performance that reminded the competition of their finals credentials. Now, with another stern test looming against Cronulla on Friday night, Kristian Woolf’s men have a golden chance to firm up their top-eight position.
But the week hasn’t been without disruption. Experienced playmaker Kodi Nikorima has succumbed to a hamstring injury, opening the door for Sean O’Sullivan to slot back into the No.6 jersey for his first NRL appearance since Round 9. O’Sullivan’s return brings a steady hand to the halves, alongside rising star Isaiya Katoa, who’s fresh from a confidence-boosting stint in Blues Origin camp.
Katoa’s role is set to expand in Nikorima’s absence, and all eyes will be on how the young gun steers the ship in a high-pressure encounter.
At the back, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been named to back up from Origin III in the No.1 jersey, while Max Feagai and Jake Averillo switch roles in the backline. Mark Nicholls earns a promotion to starting prop after impressing off the bench against the Rabbitohs, and X-factor fullback Trai Fuller could be a late inclusion after being named in the reserves—chasing his first top-grade appearance since Round 27 last year.
The stage is set for the Dolphins to prove they’re not just finals contenders—but finals certainties.
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Herbie Farnworth. 5. Jake Averillo 6. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo. 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley . 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Aublix Tawha 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Ray Stone. 17. Josh Kerr 18. Harrison Graham 19. Trai Fuller 20. Tevita Naufahu 21. LJ Nonu 22. Peter Hola
Out: Kodi Nikorima (five-eighth)
In: Sean O’Sullivan (five-eighth)
Changes: Jake Averillo (centre to wing), Max Feagai (wing to centre), Ob Tawha (front row to bench), Mark Nicholls (bench to front row)
Key Stats
The Sharks are the only team who have yet to defeat the Dolphins.
The Dolphins have scored 184 points in their past four games.
The Sharks have won only one of their past five games.
Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth has scored nine tries in his past 10 games.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 38 tries from 37 games at Sharks Stadium.
Referees, Adam Gee, Touch Judges, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Kieren Irons, Bunker, Liam Kennedy;
Pressure Mounts on Sharks in Crucial Clash
After licking their wounds during the bye, the Cronulla Sharks return to Shark Park with a point to prove. Their last outing—a humbling defeat at the hands of the Melbourne Storm—left fans frustrated and finals hopes flickering. Now, the pressure is at boiling point.
Standing in their way are the ever-unpredictable Dolphins, fresh from a week off and buoyed by a ruthless demolition of South Sydney in Round 17. That performance showed just how dangerous Wayne Bennett’s men can be when they click—but consistency remains their biggest hurdle. Just two weeks earlier, they stunned many with a shock loss to the Knights, leaving pundits scratching their heads.
Still, there’s no denying the Dolphins’ upward trend. Their attack has found rhythm, their confidence is growing, and they’ll arrive in the Shire eager to expose any lingering cracks in Cronulla’s armour.
For the Sharks, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Finals footy is slipping from their grasp, and anything less than a statement performance on Friday night could see them spiral further out of contention.
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