The Sea Eagles and Sharks were both comprehensively outplayed at Magic Round last start, setting up an intriguing clash at 4 Pines Park on Sunday afternoon.
After getting off to a flying start in 2023, Anthony Seibold's men have struggled in recent weeks in losses to the Titans and Broncos.
They had no answers in their 26-point loss to Brisbane while the Sharks were part of the upset of the round when they were thumped by the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.
Cronulla had impressed in their three-game winning streak but defensively got shown up in similar fashion to their 2022 finals exit in a concern for Craig Fitzgibbon leading into a road trip to Brookvale.
The Sharks have won just five of their past 23 matches against Manly but they have won three of their last four, including a 40-6 thumping at 4 Pines Park last year.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Team news
Sea Eagles: There are no late changes for the home side. Josh Schuster was omitted on Saturday as he continues to make his way back from a quad issue, leaving Cooper Johns to again partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves.
Sharks: Centre Siosifa Talakai (neck) and prop Oregon Kaufusi (illness) dropped out of the squad on Saturday with the side the same one hour before kick-off. Connor Tracey comes into the centres in jersey No.19 and Cameron McInnes moves from the bench to start in the middle. Braydon Trindall is the new man on the interchange. Skipper Dale Finucane is set to start after coming from the bench in his return from suspension last week.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Stat Attack
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo leads the NRL in line breaks with 16.
- Manly's tally of 28 tries so far this season is ahead of only the Cowboys (27), Roosters (25) and Tigers (24).
- The Sea Eagles have won three of their four games at 4 Pines Park in 2023.
- Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic has scored seven tries in seven games against the Sharks.
- Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes scored 30 points in two wins against the Sea Eagles in 2022.
- Reuben Garrick will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Sea Eagles v Sharks