Sharks v Dragons NRL R9 betting tips & team lists | May 5, 2024

Sharks v Dragons best bets

Cronulla Sharks v SGI Dragons match preview

A local derby between the league-leading Cronulla Sharks and St George Illawarra Dragons will draw the curtains on round nine of the 2024 NRL Premiership at PointsBet Stadium this Sunday.

The Sharks sit atop the NRL ladder having lost just one match this season. Their form is on the way up, too, having scored 40 or more points against both the Cowboys and Raiders in the past two weeks.

The Dragons suffered a heavy loss at the hands of the Roosters on ANZAC Day in round eight while playing a man down. Before that clash, they had won three of four matches, including wins over the Warriors and Sea Eagles.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has made just one change to his side, with Toby Rudolph named to replace Tuku Hau Tapuha on the bench.

Meanwhile, St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has been forced to replace Mosese Suli (concussion) in the starting side. Zac Lomax returns to centre, with Mikaele Ravalawa lining up on the wing.

Sharks v Dragons Rd 9 team lists

Cronulla Sharks

1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Kayal Iro
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Daniel Atkinson
7. Nicholas Hynes
8. Thomas Hazelton
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Oregon Kaufusi
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Cameron McInnes
14. Jack Williams
15. Siosifa Talakai
16. Toby Rudolph
17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

St George Illawarra Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Christian Tuipulotu
3. Jack Bird
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Ben Hunt
8. Francis Molo
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Hame Sele
11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
12. Jaydn Su’a
13. Tom Eisenhuth
14. Fa’amanu Brown
15. Blake Lawrie
16. Jack De Belin
17. Ben Murdoch-Masila

Sharks v Dragons NRL R9 predictions

The Sharks’ recent form against their local rivals has been incredible, winning each of their last seven matches. Cronulla have also won five of their last six games by 13 or more points, and they’ve covered the line in each of their last six home fixtures. Although the Dragons have improved this season, they will not be good enough to stop this super Sharks outfit from winning by 13 or more ($1.87).

Zac Lomax’s form in recent weeks has been brilliant, leading to talk of a potential State of Origin debut for New South Wales. He has become the strike weapon at the club, scoring five tries across his last six games. Punters are getting great value for Lomax to score again this Sunday ($3.75).

Both of these sides know how to find the in-goal area. The Sharks have scored at least 20 points in five of their seven games this season, while the Dragons have done the same in five out of eight. Although seven of the last eight matches between these two clubs have been low-scoring affairs, this one should produce at least 44.5 points ($1.85).

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