McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 6 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and Cronulla Sharks. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm with Cronulla Sharks heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Newcastle Knights vs. Cronulla Sharks game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday April 16, 2021 at 6:00 pm
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks Odds
Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks Preview
Friday afternoon shapes as a crucial contest for the Knights and the Sharks as both sides look to move one step closer to rejoining the eight.
Newcastle comes in on the back of three straight losses, which really comes as no surprise when you take a look at their long list of injuries.
The absence of Kurt Mann, Edrick Lee and Mitchell Pearce was felt enormously last week in a blowout loss to the Titans, but there is some good news on the Bradman Best front with the star forward set to return this week.
Cronulla, meanwhile, is looking to improve on their honorable eight-point loss to the Roosters last week.
The Sharks gave the Chooks a good scare in the first half by scoring two unanswered tries, only for a complete lack of possession and some sloppy missed tackles to get in the way.
That performance alone leaves the Sharks as deserving favourites in betting, but things might even up a little if Wade Graham and Josh Dugan are both ruled out due to the HIA protocol.
Still, the Sharks do have enough talent left on the park to get the job done against this understrength Knights side.
Newcastle gave up two tries inside the opening 10 minutes last week on the Gold Coast – a worrying sign after the Sharks started fast against the Roosters.
Factoring in their 8-4 record on the back of a loss, the Sharks should bounce back.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Newcastle Knights to win at $1.71 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Hymel Hunt at $11.
Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks Teams
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Brayden Musgrove 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Kurt Mann 7. Blake Green 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Connor Watson 14. Sauaso Sue 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Phoenix Crossland 21. Gehamat Shibasaki
Sharks team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Connor Tracey 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Chad Townsend 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Toby Rudolf 14. Billy Magoulias 15. Aiden Tolman 16. Jack Williams 17. Siosifa Talakai 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Nene Macdonald 20. Franklin Pele 21. Jenson Taumoepeau