Jack Harbidge anticipates the Round 23 clash between the top eight Wests Tigers and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Browne Park… .. This is what we should expect.
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TEAM NEWS
Location: Browne Park, Rockhampton Date: Saturday 21st August Time:
Team of tigers
1. Moses Mbye
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Tommy Talau
4. Michael Chee Kami
5. Ken Maumalo
6. Adam Doueihi
7. Luke Brooks
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Joe Ofahengaue
11. Shawn Blore
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Alex Twali
14. Kelma Tuilagi
15. Tukimihia Simpkins
16. Billy Walters
17. Tom Amone
18. Jock Madden
19. Zac Cini
20
21.
Team changes
IN: Billy Walters, Jock Madden, Tom Amone.
OUT: Jacob Liddle, Thomas Mikaele.
Shark team
1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Connor Tracey
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Luke Metcalf
7. Braydon Trindall
8. Toby Rudolf
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Aaron Woods
11. The British Nikora
12. Siosifa Talakai
13. Jack Williams
14. Braden Hamlin-Uele
15. Wilton batter
16. Billy Magoulias
17. Matt Moylan
18. Kai O’Donnell
19. Gionaia Lualua
20
21.
Team changes
IN: Jonaiah Lualua, Matt Moylan, Batter Wilton.
OUT: Aiden Tolman, Andrew Fifita.
Referee: Gerard Sutton
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
tigers
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The West enters this must-have game thanks to a couple of wins. The first of which came against the unfortunate Bulldogs Canterbury-Bankstown, while they also got the better of the Cowboys last time around.
Jacob Liddle is a champion of the Tigers, who missed the game due to suspension along with Thomas Mikaele.
With their season pending, the Wests have a spring in their pace after streak wins and appear to have patched up some holes in their defense, having conceded only 32 points in their two games.
sharks
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On the other hand, Cronulla-Sutherland entered the field completely out of shape, having lost the last three games and four of the last five games. Last time, the Sharks suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Knights that was sealed by a belated conversion from Jake Clifford.
Unfortunately, Cronulla loses Aiden Tolman through disqualification and Andrew Fifita is out after fracturing his larynx in the clash between Sharks and Knights. On the plus side, Matt Moylan joins the squad and is a chance for being a late entry.
PREVIEW
This is probably the highest stakes game of the round, with both sides needing to win to extend their playoff hopes.
Expect both sides to enter this with their best foot forward despite their recent different form. That said, Wests’ recent mental strength has been far superior to Cronulla when the critical moment comes, especially with another disheartening late defeat for the Sharks last time around.
Josh Hannay will no doubt be looking to rally troops for this, but Andrew Fifita’s troubling long-serving injury, and the news surrounding him, will no doubt have taken a mental toll on Cronulla’s part. By contrast, the West seem to have found a robust state of mind and have been putting together streak wins for the first time since the beginning of June, working against lower opposition in the Cowboys and Bulldogs.
Additionally, the Tigers squad have had few significant stoppages over the past few weeks and as a result, look much more solid in both offense and defense. Their defense will need to be on point this week so as not to give points to a faltering Cronulla attack, and if they can truly keep the Sharks at 16 points, as they have done to their opponents for the past couple of weeks, they should have enough points in them. to get the job done.
That said, Cronulla could benefit from Matty Moylan’s inclusion if he manages to cut. The versatile back offers a number of attacking options that can cause serious back damage to powerful attackers like Siosifa Talakai, who has been a benchmark for Cronulla’s team.
KEY STATE
The Wests Tigers have a positive win / loss ratio of 18-13 in this match in the last 32 games between the two teams, yet Cronulla has won six of their last seven fights.
PREDICTION
Wests Tigers of four.
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