It hasn’t been a good start to 2014 for the Sharks.
They took the field in round against the Titans minus both starting halves, Todd Carney and Jeff Robson who were out injured and during the match, lost Captain Paul Gallen for up to six weeks with an ankle injury.
$250 Cronulla Sharks vs St. George Illawarra Dragons FREE BET
The 18 – 12 defeat was made worse with the subsequent suspension of key forward Anthony Fifita after a dubious shoulder charge. He’ll be sorely missed again this week as he serves out the second and final week of that suspension.
The Sharks then faced the Dogs on Monday night in round two where the bad news continued, losing by 38 points, 42 – 4.
The Sharks were never in the hunt, trailing 22 – 0 at half time and only getting on the scoreboard in the final minute of the match.
The Sharks will welcome back Carney this week which is some good news as this week, in the local derby, they meet the Dragons who have registered two good wins over the Tigers and Warriors to start their season.
Featured Bookmakers:
Former Melbourne five-eighth Gareth Widdop has been the centrepiece for the Dragons victories and in the two matches, has had a leading hand in most tries, scored one himself and is 100% with the boot from 13 attempts.
Last week the Dragons ventured to New Zealand were, despite starting outsiders, kept their impressive record over the Warriors intact and recorded a 31 – 12 victory.
The Dragons are making the most out a favourable early draw and building confidence. They should win this clash too and be three from three however; their real test will be in the following fortnight when they come up against Brisbane and then Souths.
TIP: DRAGONS $1.65
Odds Comparison:
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| Cronulla Sharks | 2.50 | 2.40 | 2.45 | 2.40 | 2.50 | 2.50 |
| St. George Illawarra Dragons | 1.55 | 1.60 | 1.57 | 1.60 | 1.55 | 1.55 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Teams:
Cronulla Sharks:
1. Michael Gordon 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Jonathan Wright 6. Todd Carney 7. Daniel Holdsworth 8. Sam Tagataese 9. John Morris 10. Bryce Gibbs 11. Tupou Sopoaga 12. Wade Graham 13. Chris Heighington 14. Michael Lichaa 15. Tinirau Arona 16. Matt Prior 17. Siosaia Vave 25. David Fifita
St. George Illawarra Dragons:
1. Adam Quinlan 2. Brett Morris 3. Dylan Farrell 4. Gerard Beale 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Sam Williams 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Mitch Rein 10. Dan Hunt 11. Leeson Ah Mau 12. Ben Creagh 13. Trent Merrin
14. Bronson Harrison 15. Kyle Stanley 16. Joel Thompson 17. Michael Cooper 20. Jack de Belin 25. Jack Stockwell
