A place in the top four is on the line when the Sharks host the dangerous Knights at Ocean Protect Stadium on Friday night. 

Cronulla enjoyed a feeding frenzy in Redcliffe last week, running in 11 tries in a 66-0 drubbing of the Dolphins. 

The Sharks have now won six from their past seven games to leapfrog the Knights into fourth on the ladder. 

Halves Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes continue to develop a lethal attacking partnership, while Addin Fonua-Blake lays the platform up front and hooker Blayke Brailey is in a sublime stretch of form. 

Newcastle fell agonisingly short of a historic comeback against the Rabbitohs last week to lose their first game since Round 14. 

Kalyn Ponga was the architect of the comeback and will look to spearhead the Knights attack on Friday night. 

Newcastle will likely welcome back NSW Origin hero Bradman Best, who was rested last weekend, and will line up opposite Sharks centre Jesse Ramien. 

Cronulla and the Knights sit in fourth and fifth on the ladder, level on 26 points and just two points clear of the Rabbitohs, Dolphins and Cowboys.

Given the close nature of the competition, Friday’s clash has major finals implications and promises to be a high-quality contest.

Team News

Sharks: Briton Nikora is back on a deck after a post-Origin rest so Billy Burns slides to the bench. Addin Fonua-Blake will start at prop after coming off the bench against the Dolphins. Oregon Kaufusi slides to the bench to accommodate AFB’s return. 

Knights: Knights: Blues centre Bradman Best returns so Fletcher Sharpe is back at five-eighth and Sandon Smith goes to the bench. Winger Greg Marzhew has been named to play despite suffering a corked glute and coming off early against Souths. Tyson Frizell starts at prop in place of Cody Hopwood (calf) while Francis Manuleleua has been promoted to the starting side in the second row with Thomas Cant going to the bench. Jermaine McEwen is nursing a hamstring injury. Brodie Jones is the new face on the bench as he chases his first appearance of 2026.

Stat Attack

The Sharks have won six of their last seven games against the Knights.
The Knights have not won at Ocean Protect Stadium since 2014.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo requires one try for 50 tries at Ocean Protect Stadium.
Knights lock Mat Croker will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has won seven from seven against the Knights.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.