Cronulla Sharks vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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Local derby kicks-off shortened NRL round when the Cronulla Sharks host the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Cronulla Sharks team news
Ronaldo Mulitalo returns on the left wing and rather than missing out, Mawene Hiroti shifts to the centres to cover KL Iro (pectoral). Aggressive forward Toby Rudolf (syndesmosis) has been named on the extended bench and may return.
Squad: 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
St. George Illawarra Dragons team news
Corey Allan (hamstring) returns and replaces Val Holmes (Maroons) in the centres while Tyrell Sloan earns a recall on the wing with Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) out. Emre Guler comes into the 17 and will start at prop while Luciano Leilua replaces Raymond Faitala-Mariner in the backrow. Hame Sele comes onto the bench.
Squad: 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
Cronulla Sharks vs St. George Illawarra Dragons prediction
The Cronulla Sharks faced another test against a top side last week and failed miserably to the tune of a 40-10 defeat at the hands of the New Zealand Warriors. A tight 10-12 scoreline at the half-time break turned into an embarrassing home display with many more questions asked than answered. Remarkably their two straight heavy defeats hasn’t seen their ladder position change and they remain in fifth position in front of a chasing flotilla of teams.
Similarly, the St George Illawarra Dragons suffered a 56-6 annihilation at the hands of the Dolphins in Brisbane. 28 first half points conceded were matched by another 28 in the second half as the Dragons collapsed defensively. Despite their fourth loss in six games, they remain in the logjam of teams on 14 competition points and within sight of the Top 8.
The Sharks have won nine straight contests against the Dragons, and this will be the first of two clashes this season. They are 18-8 at home against the Dragons and have won six straight at Shark Park.
We think the Sharks can turn things around and make it ten straight against the Red V with an improved showing in front of the home fans.
Cronulla Sharks vs St. George Illawarra Dragons tip: Cronulla Sharks to win
