Sharks vs Roosters: Match Preview & Prediction

Sharks

Match Finished

Roosters

Sat 13 Sep 2025, 21:50

Sudden-death stakes, a packed Sharks Stadium, and two teams arriving with very different kinds of momentum.

Cronulla regain key playmaking stability just in time; the Roosters roll in off a statement win and a winger in golden-boot form. This will be trench warfare through the middle, decided by last-tackle polish and back-three yardage.

Sharks form

Cronulla’s biggest pre-finals question has been their halves – that clears up with Braydon Trindall returning to partner Nicho Hynes, who is free to play after his charge was downgraded. That restores the left-right kicking and shape they’ve lacked, and it should sharpen their red-zone sets.

There’s also a realistic chance of edge reinforcement with Briton Nikora moving back in after suspension, which would stiffen their tackle efficiency on the right and add a genuine line-running threat.

Expect Craig Fitzgibbon to lean heavily on repeat sets and a territorial grind; if Cronulla keep last-play execution clean and kick chase connected, they can pin the Roosters in corners and squeeze errors.

Roosters form

The Roosters surge into September on the back of a dominant derby win and a backline that’s humming. Sam Walker has the reins, the kick pressure has been ruthless, and Mark Nawaqanitawase’s edge and kick-return form has transformed yardage and finishinge’s been scoring at a historic clip.

Team-list notes flag a backline boost (“Kelly returns”) with depth in the outside backs (“Byers in the mix”), and Trent Robinson has kept a steady 17. Their blueprint is clear: fast rucks through the first three carries, contestable kicks to the corners, and Walker manipulating short sides once the middle compresses.

Context & numbers

• Fixture & venue: Elimination Final – Saturday, 13 September, Sharks Stadium (Cronulla). Home-field lift and familiar sightlines matter in a coin-flip matchup.
• Form snapshot: Roosters clinched finals with a 36–6 statement; Sharks steadied with roster clarity in the halves and could be near first-choice on the edges.

Tactical hinges

• Halves control & kick-chase: Hynes/Trindall’s long-kick accuracy vs Walker’s territory game. Net territory and repeat sets will define momentum sways.
• Back-three yardage & aerials: Nawaqanitawase’s carries after kicks vs Cronulla’s corner kicks and escort discipline. A single spilled bomb could swing a set-for-set arm-wrestle.
• Edge integrity: If Nikora returns as expected, Cronulla’s right edge is less targetable; if not, Robinson will probe there early with shape and grubbers.

Sharks vs Roosters: Best Odds

Prediction for Sharks vs Roosters

With home-ground advantage and the Hynes–Trindall spine back in place, Cronulla edge in front — but territory and last-tackle execution should decide it.

The Roosters’ form and strike out wide are genuine, and they’ll land punches. But across 80 minutes, the Sharks’ set-for-set discipline and ability to trap teams in corners should prevail — especially if Nikora returns.

Sharks 22–20 (≈52–55% win probability).