Last time the Sharks were on to play Sunday footy, the turned the rugby league world on its head and beat the undefeated Melbourne Storm. But now they've lost to the Eels and are now again without their SOO stars Gallen and Carney. They are also in danger of falling out of the top 8 if they lose this one. Now things aren't perhaps looking as good as they once were down in the Shire. One thing that I won't do though, is write them off. I have an enormous amount of respect for their coach Shane Flanaghan and his tactical approach to each game. The Titans are quickly rising up the NRL Premiership Table and my power rankings but are also without their SOO players. But like unlike the Sharks, they still do have the majority of their team together. Greg Bird, Ashley Harrison and Nate Myles however, manage to do a lot of tackling around the ruck and maybe their presence won't be felt until they are gone. The Sharks have their two best players gone, the Titans have two strong defensive players gone. The Titans will still have plenty in attack. Just cast your minds back to the game that the Sharks played against the Bulldogs without their stars, you always felt that the Bulldogs had control of the game because they had the better team in attack. I wonder if this game will be the same. This will be a big test of the players that aren't on SOO duty. Will they step up to another level in their absence and refill the Sharks fans with confidence? Should be a good one!
Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks have named a simliar team that went down to the Eels on MNF. A lot of that performance demonstrated a team that was on the slide. The one main thing which was worrying in everything, was the fact that they could not close the door on the Eels. This game will be critical, but not essential. If they lose, their season has the potential to go south but they do have the bye next week where they could regroup. Wade Graham coms into the starting team at lock and there was no question as to how well he played on MNF, he was one of the Sharks best. One time boom halfback, Chad Townsend starts the game at 5/8 and he will be out to play a game that forces coaching Flanaghan into keeping him in the side when the SOO stars return.
The Sharks have named a simliar team that went down to the Eels on MNF. A lot of that performance demonstrated a team that was on the slide. The one main thing which was worrying in everything, was the fact that they could not close the door on the Eels. This game will be critical, but not essential. If they lose, their season has the potential to go south but they do have the bye next week where they could regroup. Wade Graham coms into the starting team at lock and there was no question as to how well he played on MNF, he was one of the Sharks best. One time boom halfback, Chad Townsend starts the game at 5/8 and he will be out to play a game that forces coaching Flanaghan into keeping him in the side when the SOO stars return.
Gold Coast Titans
Three players are missing to SOO duty and they are players who really strengthen the middle and are strong in defence. Greg Bird Nate Myles and Ashley Harrison are big losses, but the Titans are beginning to play to their potential and actually look like a team that can figure strongly at the end of the season. They have climbed up the Power Rankings in recent weeks and will look to get the job done in this one, whilst also make a statement to the rest of the competition. Team wise, Matthew White starts at prop for Myles, Luke Douglas comes into the starting team for Bird and Harrison is replaced at lock by Luke O'Dwyer. Those players all come from the bench into the starting team and onto the bench come Ryan James, Steve Michaels and Michael Henderson. You would definitely think that these players have a massive hole to replace in the middle of the ruck. But in attack, they still have Prince there steering the ship and they also have dynamic hooker, Matt Srama scheming in and around the play the ball. He has been one of the form players this year so look for another big performance from him.
Recent History
Recent History
Overall = Sharks 4 - Titans 4
Last 5 = Sharks 3 - Titans 2
At Toyota Stadium = Sharks 3 - Titans 1
Odds
Last 5 = Sharks 3 - Titans 2
At Toyota Stadium = Sharks 3 - Titans 1
Odds
TAB Sportsbet = Sharks $1.65 Titans $2.30
Centrebet = Sharks $1.52 Titans $2.60
Sportsbet = Sharks $1.55 Titans $2.50
Verdict
Well...thus far I have had two SBB's rolled in consecutive nights. But I am resilient and and lining up again to invest my money in this game. I see some great value in and around the Titans. I think that the Sharks are sliding slightly, but maybe their loss on MNF was a wake up call they needed. Remember that this is a different Sharks team than we have seen in seasons gone by and this game is at Shark Park (on a cold, wet and windy day). They will be measured in this one by how well they can bounce back (seems like me and the Sharks have a fair bit in common!). But I find it hard to take them as the Titans have really played well in recent weeks. They will be getting my money in this one. Another main reason is they do not lose anything out of attack and will be continually coming at the Sharks.
Centrebet = Sharks $1.52 Titans $2.60
Sportsbet = Sharks $1.55 Titans $2.50
Verdict
Well...thus far I have had two SBB's rolled in consecutive nights. But I am resilient and and lining up again to invest my money in this game. I see some great value in and around the Titans. I think that the Sharks are sliding slightly, but maybe their loss on MNF was a wake up call they needed. Remember that this is a different Sharks team than we have seen in seasons gone by and this game is at Shark Park (on a cold, wet and windy day). They will be measured in this one by how well they can bounce back (seems like me and the Sharks have a fair bit in common!). But I find it hard to take them as the Titans have really played well in recent weeks. They will be getting my money in this one. Another main reason is they do not lose anything out of attack and will be continually coming at the Sharks.
Suggested Bet
Titans @ $2.60 - go with Centrebet!
Margin = Titans 1-12 @ $3.40 - If I think that they can win, then why not be a little more specific and take the margin? They shouldn't win by more that 12 but then again, stranger things have happened.
Super Line = Titans +8.5 @ $1.50 - If you're still worried about the Titans in this one, take them with the Super Line. I think that this game will be close and they will be able to at least have a close game against the Sharks.
Good luck!
Scooby
@scoobystips
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