The Sharks continue their push for a top-two finish when they face the struggling Dragons in the latest Monty Porter Memorial Cup clash. With Cronulla building premiership momentum and St George Illawarra staring at a wooden spoon, the rivals enter Round 23 with vastly different ambitions.

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Matchday Details

Sunday 9 August 2026 – 4:05pm – St George Venues Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah
📺 Nine Network / Nine Now / Kayo / Foxtel
Referee: Liam Kennedy | Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond 

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

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Mawene Hiroti, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Blayke Brailey (c), 10. Jesse Colquhoun, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Cameron McInnes, 14. Hohepa Puru, 15. Billy Burns, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Thomas Hazelton, 18. Michael Gabrael, 19. Braden Uele, 20. Niwhai Puru, 21. Samuel Stonestreet, 22. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Match Preview

The Monty Porter Memorial Cup clash on Sunday could have significant implications at both ends of the ladder. While the Sharks continue their pursuit of a top-two finish, the Dragons are simply trying to avoid ending the season on a low note.

Snapping at the heels of the second-placed Roosters and level on competition points with the Warriors, Cronulla know every win matters as the race for home finals intensifies. A victory here would strengthen their position inside the top four and keep pressure on the teams above them.

For the Dragons, 2026 has been a season to forget. They’ve occupied last place since Round 4 and sit four wins behind the Titans and Broncos. Barring a miraculous turnaround, St George Illawarra appear destined to claim the wooden spoon for the first time in the joint venture’s history.

The Sharks, meanwhile, couldn’t be arriving in better form. They’ve won five straight matches, including a club-record 66-0 demolition of the Dolphins at Kayo Stadium and their biggest-ever win at 4 Pines Park, a 48-12 rout of Manly. With a favourable run home that includes matches against the Raiders, Titans, Eels and Storm, Cronulla are shaping as genuine premiership contenders as they chase a first title since 2016.

There is some positive news for the Dragons on the injury front. Blake Lawrie and rookie half Kade Reed are expected back next week, although Toby Couchman will miss this match under HIA protocols. For Cronulla, Hohepa Puru returns after clearing concussion protocols, while KL Iro remains unavailable following his own HIA. Siosifa Talakai is also expected back next week, leaving the Sharks with a largely healthy squad heading into the finals run.

The key battleground will be possession, completion rates and the Sharks’ relentless attacking pressure. Cronulla boast the competition’s best completion rate and continue to build sustained pressure through disciplined, error-free football. Their spine, led by Will Kennedy, Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes, has been among the most dangerous in the league, while Blayke Brailey’s speed out of dummy-half consistently creates opportunities around the ruck. With Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton and Cameron McInnes providing edge and middle threats, the Sharks can attack from virtually anywhere on the field. The prospect of Billy Burns entering the contest against a tiring defensive line only adds another layer to their potency.

The Dragons will need to find a way to slow the tempo and limit Cronulla’s possession. There were encouraging signs in last week’s 28-22 loss to the Dolphins, where they remained competitive for long periods and challenged one of the competition’s form sides. Clint Gutherson, Val Holmes and Kyle Flanagan remain capable of creating opportunities, while Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga will no doubt be eager to reward the club’s faith after signing a contract extension through to the end of 2029.

Ultimately, this game may come down to execution. The Sharks lead the NRL in set completions and Braydon Trindall sits comfortably atop the competition’s try-assist leaderboard. If the Dragons fail to complete their sets and control possession, Cronulla could threaten to rewrite more records during what has already become a history-making season.

History suggests this fixture is usually tightly contested. Sunday’s clash will be the 58th meeting between Cronulla and the joint-venture Dragons, with the Sharks holding a narrow 32-24 advantage, alongside one draw. The Dragons caused a major upset in the corresponding round last season, defeating Cronulla 22-14 at Jubilee Stadium and ending a 10-match losing streak in the rivalry. Earlier this year, however, the Sharks were convincing 34-12 winners.

There are also potential debutants on both sides, with Jacob Webster set for his first NRL appearance from the Dragons’ interchange bench, while Michael Gabrael could make his debut for Cronulla after being named on the extended bench.

Prediction

RLZ Tip: Sharks by 14
Full Round 23 tips → /nrl-round-23-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Braydon Trindall records three try assists as the Sharks score 30+ points for the fourth time in five games.

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Matt Pritchard
Penrith Panthers Member 13120.

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