Dragons v Sharks NRL R25 tips & predictions | August 25, 2024

Dragons v Sharks R25 best bets

St George Illawarra Dragons v Cronulla Sharks match preview

Round 25 of the 2024 NRL Premiership concludes with a local derby as the St George Illawarra Dragons host the Cronulla Sharks at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.

The Dragons have not played finals football since they finished seventh in the 2018 season, and they are right on the cusp of making a return this year. With this match against the Sharks before they take on the Eels and Raiders in Kogarah, a finals berth is well within St George Illawarra’s grasp.

Meanwhile, the Sharks are limping towards the post-season as they await the return of superstar halfback Nicho Hynes from injury. With a top-four spot on the line, Cronulla will be determined to finish the season strongly.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has lost Sione Katoa (concussion) and Siosifa Talakai (hamstring) to injury, but there are some big inclusions. Braydon Trindall returns at halfback, Kayal Iro is back in the centres, Blayke Brailey is named at hooker, and Teig Wilton rejoins the second row, with Samuel Stonestreet lining up on the wing.

Cronulla captain Cameron McInnes reverts to lock after donning the No.9 jersey in last week’s one-point win over Newcastle, while Thomas Hazelton returns via the bench. Jayden Berrell, Billy Burns and Tuku Hau Tapuha all drop out of the side.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has made just one change to the team that thumped the Titans in round 24, selecting Raymond Faitala-Mariner on the bench to replace Lyhkan King-Togia.

Dragons v Sharks R25 team lists

St George Illawarra Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Zac Lomax
3. Mathew Feagai
4. Max Feagai
5. Christian Tuipulotu
6. Jack Bird
7. Ben Hunt
8. Francis Molo
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Jack De Belin
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Tom Eisenhuth
14. Toby Couchman
15. Ryan Couchman
16. Blake Lawrie
17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Cronulla Sharks

1. William Kennedy
2. Samuel Stonestreet
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Kayal Iro
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Daniel Atkinson
7. Braydon Trindall
8. Toby Rudolf
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Oregon Kaufusi
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Cameron McInnes
14. Jack Williams
15. Royce Hunt
16. Braden Hamlin-Uele
17. Thomas Hazelton

Dragons v Sharks NRL betting predictions

The Sharks’ recent form is better than the Dragons’, winning four of their last five matches with key figures out of the side. Cronulla have the head-to-head advantage as well, as they’ve beaten St George Illawarra in each of their last five meetings. Back the Sharks to win on the road and cover the 3.5-point line at -111.11 odds with Neds.

Braydon Trindall’s return at halfback will give the Sharks an enormous boost, not least for his ability to attack the game with ball in hand. He has scored 10 tries this season, including one in each of his last five starts. At +185 with PlayUp, he is a great anytime tryscorer play.

Zac Lomax leads the Dragons’ tryscoring list with 13 tries in 18 games, and he has played a pivotal role in his side’s success. He’s been particularly good on Dragons turf, scoring tries in four of his last five home games. Paying $1.75, Lomax to score at any time is a solid leg for the NRL multis.

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