After moving into seventh with three straight wins, the Sharks can book their finals ticket by beating the Raiders.
Cronulla dispatched the Warriors last week to advance to 24 points and jump Brisbane on the ladder.
The Raiders remain nicely poised in third despite losing to Manly as they prepare for the play-offs.
The Sharks have won their past four matches at PointsBet Stadium and will look to keep the streak going in what is Paul Gallen's final match at the venue.
Match: Sharks v Raiders
Round 24 -
home Team
Sharks
8th Position
away Team
Raiders
3rd Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Sharks: Shaun Johnson is a last-minute exclusion with a suspected leg injury, Kyle Flanagan starts in his place. Billy Magoulias is the other cut from Cronulla's final 17. Winger Sosaia Feki is sidelined with a groin injury and he is replaced by Sione Katoa. On the bench, Jayson Bukuya comes in for Jack Williams (ankle). Blayke Brailey and Matt Moylan were the two players left out on Saturday.
Raiders: Prop Dunamis Lui wins a late promotion to the starting side with Sia Soliola dropping back to the bench. Otherwise Canberra are 1-17 with Sam Williams and Emre Guler the match-day cuts. The absence of Joey Leilua to suspension sees Nick Cotric shift from wing to centre and Bailey Simonsson come into the starting side on the wing. The new man on the bench is Siliva Havili. Michael Oldfield and Tom Starling were the two players to drop out 24 hours out from game time.
Match: Sharks v Raiders
Round 24 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Josh DuganFullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Raiders is number 2 Bailey Simonsson
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Josh MorrisCentre for Raiders is number 4 Nick Cotric
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 20 Kyle FlanaganFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Chad TownsendHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Aidan Sezer
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Aaron WoodsProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh Hodgson
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Matt PriorProp for Raiders is number 15 Dunamis Lui
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 John Bateman
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Paul GallenLock for Raiders is number 13 Ryan Sutton
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Kurt CapewellInterchange for Raiders is number 10 Iosia Soliola
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Braden Hamlin-UeleInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Siliva Havili
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Andrew FifitaInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey Horsburgh
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Jayson BukuyaInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Hudson Young
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Referee: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Josh Dugan's contributions at fullback when Matt Moylan has been injured can't be undervalued. The fill-in Sharks custodian is pitted against Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, whose bustling runs from the back provide a solid foundation for Canberra.
For the Sharks to win
The emotion from Gallen's farewell to Shark Park can be the catalyst of a committed performance if harnessed properly. There's been no better Cronulla servant than Gallen and the team will be desperate to give him a parting win.
For the Raiders to win
Weathering the storm in the opening period is the first task for Ricky Stuart's side. Cronulla love to get gritty but the Raiders should match them in that department and will back themselves to outlast their opponents.
Brett Kimmorley says
Good game. The Raiders are coming off a couple of big clashes. Their coach gets to return to one of his former teams. He knows the importance of getting the Raiders back on a winning note before the finals. But they come up against Paul Gallen’s farewell home game and a chance for the Sharks to cement a spot in the finals. This is a massive day for the Sharks. Sharks by 4
Stat Attack
Canberra have pulled off five charge-downs this season, so it might be wise for Sharks playmakers Chad Townsend and Shaun Johnson to stand deeper when preparing to kick long.
And another thing ...
The Raiders narrowly beat Cronulla 22-20 in round 14 despite the Sharks scoring more tries.
