Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters, NRL Elimination Final - Roosters Crow Again
The Roosters will continue their impressive late-season form, sending the Sharks to more finals misery when the two teams collide in the Shire in Saturday night's Elimination Final.
It's been a remarkable turnaround for the Roosters - they've recovered from leaking 50 points in their opening game of the season and losing four of their first five outings to sneak into the finals as one of the form teams in the competition. James Tedesco is playing some of the best footy of his illustrious career, Sam Walker has been a revelation since returning from injury and Mark Nawaqanitawase and Daniel Tupou have been the most prolific winger duo in the NRL over the last couple of months.
With five wins from their last six games and scoring 202 points in the process, I expect the Roosters to advance into the semi-finals, eliminating the Sharks in front of their home faithful. Cronulla have won just three games against the top eight all season and have a terrible recent record in the finals, winning just two of their last 12 post-season fixtures. Additionally, the Sharks have lost their last seven Week 1 Finals matches dating back to 2016 - the year they won the premiership.
I'm taking the Roosters to emerge victorious and cover their team total of 23.5 points, while Tupou offers more value than Nawaqanitawase as an anytime tryscorer on the wing - and he's had success against the Sharks multiple times this year already.
- Roosters have won nine of the last 12 meetings between the teams
- Roosters have won all three of their finals games vs Sharks
- Sharks have lost 10 of their last 12 finals games
- Sharks have lost their last seven Finals Week 1 games
- Sharks have only won three games vs top eight teams in 2025
- Roosters have scored 26+ points in 11 of their 13 wins this season
- Roosters have scored a combined 202 points in their last six games
- Sharks have conceded 30+ points in their last four defeats vs top eight teams
- Daniel Tupou has scored 16 tries in his last 13 games & has scored three tries in two appearances vs Sharks this season
Head To Head
The Roosters have prevailed in nine of the last 12 encounters between the two teams, but Cronulla ran out 31-18 winners in the most-recent clash in Round 20 at Sharks Stadium. The Sharks have never beaten the Chooks in a finals game.
Cronulla Sharks Form Analysis
I think it's fair to say the Sharks did exactly what was expected of them in 2025 - struggle against the elite sides and beat up the weaker ones, finishing the season comfortably in the top eight but never seriously challenging for the top four.
Cronulla ended the season strongly with seven wins from their last eight games, including a confidence-boosting 24-6 victory over the Bulldogs, which was their first win over a top eight team on the road all year.
Still, was that enough to shake their 'flat track bully' tag? Not at the moment. Cronulla have lost their last seven games in the opening week of the finals, so if they can conquer an in-form Roosters side, then they might be considered as a threat going further into September.
Cronulla Sharks Team News
Huge boost during the week for Cronulla as halfback Nicho Hynes was cleared by the Match Review Committee, with his dangerous contact charge on Dogs winger Marcelo Montoya downgraded from a Grade 2 to a Grade 1, resulting in a fine instead of a possible suspension for this game.
Hynes' halves partner Brayden Trindall is also back after missing last week with an ankle injury, while Briton Nikora is likely to come into the team after a three-game suspension. Daniel Atkinson goes back to 18th man.
Cronulla Sharks Team List
1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. KL Iro
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Toby Rudolf
11. Billy Burns
12. Teig Wilton
13. Jesse Colquhoun
Interchange
14. Oregon Kaufusi
15. Siosifa Talakai
16. Thomas Hazelton
17. Braden Hamlin-Uele
Reserves
18. Daniel Atkinson
19. Mawene Hiroti
20. Jayden Berrell
21. Briton Nikora
22. Hohepa Puru
Sydney Roosters Form Analysis
The Roosters' attack has been lighting up the competition to end the regular season, with Trent Robinson doing a tremendous job of re-igniting his side after a poor start.
James Tedesco has wound back the clock to produce some the best form of his career, with the fullback leading the NRL for tackle busts and run metres. Meanwhile, Sam Walker has revelled in his role at halfback since returning from an ACL injury, registering 15 try assists, nine tackle breaks and 38 goals.
The individual brilliance of Walker and Tedesco has allowed wingers Daniel Tupou and Mark Nawaqanitawase to reap the rewards out wide, with the pair scoring a combined 43 tries for the season.
Languishing in 10th spot on the ladder in Round 21, the Roosters won five of their last six games - including big scalps over the Storm and Bulldogs before securing their finals ticket with a thumping 36-6 victory over rivals South Sydney last week.
Sydney Roosters Team News
No reason to change anything for the Chooks heading into the finals, with Robinson naming the same 17 players that crushed the Rabbitohs last week.
Sydney Roosters Team List
1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Robert Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Hugo Savala
7. Sam Walker
8. Spencer Leniu
9. Connor Watson
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Victor Radley
13. Naufahu Whyte
Interchange
14. Benaiah Ioelu
15. Egan Butcher
16. Blake Steep
17. Siua Wong
Reserves
18. Ethan King
19. Salesi Foketi
20. Sandon Smith
21. Tom Rodwell
22. Makahesi Makatoa