Crucial positions inside the top-eight are on the line when Manly host the Sharks at 4 Pines Park on Sunday afternoon.
The equation for the Sea Eagles is simple, defeat Cronulla and secure a home final in the opening week of the finals.
SportsBet Betting Preview - Sea Eagles v Sharks
Whether that will be in fifth or sixth place depends on the result of Saturday's clash between the Bulldogs and Cowboys, however it's likely Manly will finish sixth and play the loser of that match in a sudden-death elimination final next weekend.
A draw between Canterbury and North Queensland opens up the possibility of the Sea Eagles rising to fifth on the ladder.
The situation is slightly more complicated for the Sharks who are battling for position inside the top four.
A win over Manly could see Cronulla finish as high as second on the ladder and result in a home final of their own in the first week of the finals.
That, however, depends on the outcome of Penrith and Roosters matches earlier in the weekend.
A 68-point for and against turnaround would be required for the Bulldogs to leapfrog the Sharks into fourth on the ladder if Craig Fitzgibbon's men fall to Manly on Sunday and Canterbury defeat the Cowboys.
Cronulla and Manly enter this weekend's match with contrasting form and health, the Sea Eagles riding high after last week's win over the Bulldogs.
The victory came at a cost, however, with Jason Saab and Tom Trbojevic to miss the match due to injury.
The Sharks suffered a last-minute loss to the Warriors last Saturday night but they are set to welcome back Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jesse Ramien from injury and suspension on Sunday.
Match: Sea Eagles v Sharks
Round 27 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
7th Position
away Team
Sharks
4th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Sea Eagles: Tolu Koula gets the nod at fullback to take over from Tom Trbojevic, who is hopeful of missing just the one week with a shoulder injury. Clayton Faulalo comes in on the wing for Jason Saab (ankle). Ben Trbojevic has been added to the bench after he was 18th man last week.
Sharks: Centre Jesse Ramien (suspension) and winger Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) are back on deck so Dan Atkinson goes to the bench and Sam Stonestreet to the reserves. Braden Hamlin-Uele drops off the bench. Nicho Hynes reverts to his regular halfback role in his second game back from injury. Siosifa Talakai is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a calf injury that has kept him out for two games.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tolutau KoulaFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Clayton FaulaloWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tommy TalauCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben GarrickCentre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi HopoateWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
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Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela PasekaProp for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
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Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan CrokerHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Matthew LodgeProp for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Karl Lawton2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
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Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Ben TrbojevicInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Josh AloiaiInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan BrownInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
Reserves
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Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Toafofoa SipleyReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Braden Hamlin-Uele
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Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 19 Jamie HumphreysReserve for Sharks is number 19 Siosifa Talakai
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Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Gordon Chan Kum TongReserve for Sharks is number 20 Jayden Berrell
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Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Jaxson PauloReserve for Sharks is number 21 Tuku Hau Tapuha
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Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 Caleb NavaleReserve for Sharks is number 22 Samuel Stonestreet
Sea Eagles Ins
- Caleb Navale
- Clayton Faulalo
- Gordon Chan Kum Tong
- Jamie Humphreys
- Jaxson Paulo
- Toafofoa Sipley
Sharks Ins
- Jayden Berrell
- Jesse Ramien
- Ronaldo Mulitalo
- Siosifa Talakai
- Tuku Hau Tapuha
Sea Eagles Outs
- Jason Saab
- Tom Trbojevic
Sharks Ins
- Chris Vea'ila
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have won eight from nine at 4 Pines Park this season.
- The Sharks have won their last two games at 4 Pines Park.
- The Sea Eagles have won only two from five without Tom Trbojevic in 2024.
- Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey will play his 100th consecutive game.
- Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab has scored eight tries in his past eight games.
Match: Sea Eagles v Sharks
Round 27 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
7th Position
away Team
Sharks
4th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.