A fierce local derby headlines Sunday afternoon as the Sharks host the Dragons in the Shire, with both sides chasing momentum for very different reasons. Cronulla look to strengthen their top-eight position, while the Dragons aim to build on their long-awaited breakthrough win in what shapes as a physical and high-stakes clash.

Matchday Details

Sunday 7 June 2026 – 4.05pm (AEST) – Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Nine Now/Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Liam Kennedy | Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: 1. William Kennedy, 2. Samuel Stonestreet, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Mawene Hiroti, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Niwhai Puru, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Jayden Berrell, 10. Toby Rudolf, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Cameron McInnes (c), 14. Siosifa Talakai, 15. Billy Burns, 16. Jesse Colquhoun, 17. Thomas Hazelton, 18. Hohepa Puru, 19. Oregon Kaufusi, 20. Riley Jones, 21. KL Iro, 22. Sione Katoa

St George Illawarra Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Setu Tu, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Valentine Holmes, 5. Mathew Feagai, 6. Daniel Atkinson, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, 9. Damien Cook (c), 10. Toby Couchman, 11. Dylan Egan, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Ryan Couchman, 14. Jacob Liddle, 15. Josh Kerr, 16. Luciano Leilua, 17. Blake Lawrie, 18. Lyhkan King-Togia, 19. Emre Guler, 20. Tyrell Sloan, 21. Jaydn Su’A, 22. Nathan Lawson

Match Preview

The local derby in the Shire is usually tense but exciting, and on Sunday the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks will take on the St George Illawarra Dragons in a battle for local bragging rights and ladder progression.

The Sharks, currently sitting in eighth place, are no strangers to home success, having won four of their five games at Ocean Protect Stadium this season, most recently defeating the fifth-placed Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 28–22.

Despite the absence of key players, the Sharks still prevailed against the Sea Eagles, demonstrating their ability to adapt under pressure. The Dragons will need to be prepared for a tough contest.

The Dragons have not won at Ocean Protect Stadium since 2018, and with the Sharks having won 10 of their past 11 games against them, confidence may be fragile heading into this clash.

Cronulla currently sits with six wins, five losses, and two byes, and will be looking to secure back-to-back home victories against the bottom-of-the-table Dragons.

Last weekend, the Dragons secured their first win of the season, ending a 15-game losing streak with a 30–26 victory over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. They led 20–8 at one stage, with a conversion from Valentine Holmes helping seal the result.

Sharp in both attack and defence, their ball movement allowed them to capitalise on key moments, with Mathew Feagai’s try in the second half reinforcing their control.

The last meeting between these sides at this venue came in Round 13 of 2025, where the Sharks claimed a convincing 30–18 win.

While the Dragons last defeated the Sharks at Kogarah in Round 23 of 2025 (22–14), their overall record in the Shire is poor, winning just 33 games compared to Cronulla’s 59. If the Dragons are to win this derby, they face a significant challenge.

Defensively, the Sharks hold the advantage, conceding 282 points this season (25 per game), compared to the Dragons’ 367 (33 per game). This gap highlights a key concern for the visitors.

The Sharks will be without star halfback Nicho Hynes (calf), but regain Briton Nikora after being rested last week. Blayke Brailey is also sidelined with a broken arm, meaning Jayden Berrell starts at hooker. KL Iro and Sione Katoa are listed among the reserves.

For the Dragons, Jacob Liddle returns at hooker following a hamstring injury. Jaydn Su’A is listed in the reserves as he nears a return from a calf issue, while Tyrell Sloan drops back after a brief bench appearance last week.

A key figure for the Sharks will be Braydon Trindall, who has played a central role in their recent wins, combining effectively with Niwhai Puru and Ronaldo Mulitalo. Containing this attacking trio will be a significant challenge for the Dragons.

Jayden Berrell faces a key test stepping into Brailey’s role. With support from Addin Fonua-Blake, Briton Nikora, and Teig Wilton, the Sharks’ forward pack remains formidable. Wilton, in particular, has been in strong form, scoring five tries in his past three home games.

Toby Rudolf also impressed last week and will look to continue his impact through the middle.

The Sharks must, however, be wary of the Dragons’ forward pack, which showed improvement against the Broncos. Led by Damien Cook, and supported by Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, Dylan Egan, and Toby Couchman, they present a genuine threat.

Couchman was outstanding last weekend, running for 215 metres from 20 carries and making 35 tackles. Across 11 games this season, he has recorded 23 tackle breaks, 636.4 post-contact metres, and averages 146 running metres per game.

Out wide, winger Setu Tu adds another layer of danger, scoring four tries in his past five matches. His matchup against Ronaldo Mulitalo and Samuel Stonestreet will be one to watch.

After a string of unpredictable results across the competition, this shapes as a fascinating derby, where discipline and execution will be crucial.

Prediction

RLZ Tip: Sharks by 16
Full Round 14 tips → /nrl-round-14-predictions/
Bold call: Ronaldo Mulitalo to be first try scorer

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