Cronulla must make sure of the two points against an improving Titans team if they are to maintain their tenuous hold on a finals berth.
The Sharks cling to a share of seventh place with the Rabbitohs, just two points ahead of Manly, but face a tougher run home after two months of feasting on lower-ranked teams.
The men from the Shire have won six of their past eight but lost to the only two top eight opponents they faced in that span. After their date with the Gold Coast they are scheduled to play four top-eight teams over the final six rounds.
The Titans, meanwhile, go into a much kinder final stretch with blossoming confidence on the back of a brave performance against the Roosters and a thumping win over the Cowboys.
Match: Sharks v Titans
Round 14 -
home Team
Sharks
7th Position
away Team
Titans
13th Position
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Sharks: Scott Sorensen starts at lock with Toby Rudolf to come off the bench as usual. Briton Nikora and Bryson Goodwin dropped off the extended bench on game day after Teig Wilton and Braydon Trindall were left off the reserves bench 24 hours out from kick-off.
The Sharks have won their past four games against the Titans.
Titans: Young Tonumaipea and Corey Thompson are a new wing pairing in place of Anthony Don (ribs) and Phillip Sami (knee), while Beau Fermor replaces Tanah Boyd on the interchange. Reserve forward Jai Whitbread was also culled from the squad. The Titans are aiming for back-to-back wins for the first time since round six in 2019.
Match: Sharks v Titans
Round 14 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Titans is number 18 Corey Thompson
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Josh DuganCentre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Jesse RamienCentre for Titans is number 4 Dale Copley
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Titans is number 20 Young Tonumaipea
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt MoylanFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Ashley Taylor
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Titans is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-UeleProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Titans is number 9 Nathan Peats
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Aaron WoodsProp for Titans is number 10 Jaimin Jolliffe
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Siosifa Talakai2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Keegan Hipgrave
-
Lock for Sharks is number 15 Scott SorensenLock for Titans is number 13 Jai Arrow
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 13 Toby RudolfInterchange for Titans is number 15 Tyrone Peachey
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Connor TraceyInterchange for Titans is number 16 Jarrod Wallace
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jack WilliamsInterchange for Titans is number 17 Sam Lisone
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Royce HuntInterchange for Titans is number 21 Beau Fermor
Match Officials
- Referee: Henry Perenara
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Will Kennedy v AJ Brimson. Kennedy has been a quiet achiever for Cronulla, often filling in due to injuries, with the 23-year-old using his smooth passing game to assist seven tries in nine games.
Brimson is only two matches into his comeback from a back injury and already the pocket rocket's influence is apparent. The Titans are far more dangerous with Brimson's speed and skill on hand.
Stat Attack
The spotlight has been on Shaun Johnson for his 18 try assists – the most in the league – but the Sharks halfback also leads the way for line engagements with 103, highlighting his willingness to dig into the defence and create space outside. Titans playmaker Ash Taylor ranks 16th with 52 line engagements.
