Matchday Details
Saturday, 21 March 2026 – 5:30pm AEDT – Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Gerard Sutton | Bunker: Grant Atkins
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicholas Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey (c) 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Uele 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Chris Vea’ila 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Mawene Hiroti 22. Teig Wilton
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa (c) 8. Tom Gilbert 9. Max Plath 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulifeku Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Bradley Schneider 15. Oryn Keeley 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Ray Stone 18. Trai Fuller 19. Sebastian Su’a 20. Lewis Symonds 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Brian Pouniu
Match Preview
This shapes as an important early clash in the 2026 season for both the Sharks and Dolphins. A win here would put either side firmly in the top-eight mix after mixed starts to the year.
Both teams come into this game with plenty to work on. After piling on 50 points against the Titans in Round 1, the Sharks were held to just 6 against the Panthers in Bathurst last week. The Dolphins, meanwhile, struggled against those Titans a week ago but managed to come back from a 14-point deficit to claim an 18-14 victory.
The Sharks have named the same squad that went down to Penrith last week. The Dolphins will start with the same 13, with just one change to the extended bench as Sebastian Su’a replaces Brian Pouniu.
The Dolphins have yet to find their attacking form through the first two weeks of the season, only scoring their first points against the struggling Titans more than 50 minutes into last week’s contest. The battle between the halves could therefore be crucial in deciding this match.
Nicho Hynes has taken more of a backseat role this year as Braydon Trindall has started the year strong, highlighted by his best-on-ground performance against the Titans that included four try assists and two tries. Isaiya Katoa has three try assists through the first two games, and the Dolphins will need him to be at his best to crack what can be a leaky edge defence of the Sharks.
It’s in the forward pack where the Sharks hold a slight advantage. Thomas Hazelton struggled last week, giving up three errors, but Addin Fonua-Blake remains one of the best props in the game. He ran rampant for 200 metres in Round 1, but the Panthers held him in check last week as he failed to crack 100 run metres. If the Dolphins’ middle forwards can do the same, it will go a long way toward securing an important win.
The Sharks have won eight straight games at Ocean Protect Stadium. Braydon Trindall will also play his 100th NRL game this weekend.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Sharks by 6
Bold call: Trindall is the difference again, driving his side to victory with three try assists.
Related
- NRL Round 3 Hub
- NRL Round 3 2026 Predictions & Tips
- NRL Round 3 Team Lists – 2026 Season
- NRL 2026 Results Tracker
- 2026 NRL Match Review Results Tracker: Charges, Suspensions & Fines
- NRL Injury List 2026
