RUGBY LEAGUE BETTING PREVIEW - ST GEORGE DRAGONS VS CRONULLA SHARKS

Rugby League

2024-08-25 - St George Dragons vs Cronulla Sharks

A Sports Betting Preview by Stu

St George Dragons v Cronulla Sharks
Rugby League : Australia : NRL
Sunday 25th August 2024 - KO 1605 AEST

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St George Dragons

St George are clinging on to 8th position at the start of round 25, one win clear of the Dolphins and 2 wins behind Manly, Canterbury and North Queensland. The Dolphins have a superior points differential and finish the season with matches against the Storm, Broncos and Knights, none of which will be easy. St George have a slightly easier run after facing the Sharks in this match, they are away to the Eels and then home to Canberra.

St George kept their hopes of playing in the post season alive last weekend with a well-deserved victory over the Titans, thoroughly out playing the visitors for a solid 16 point win. Although the titans scored in the opening minute to lead 0-6, the Dragons responded with 5 first half tries to comfortably lead 26-6 at HT. The second half was far more subdued, the damage already done and a nice easy win at home for the Dragons, 32-16.

St George Dragons Team News - Only one change named, Raymond Faitala-Mariner returns.

Cronulla Sharks

Cronulla know they have the red hot Bulldogs hunting them down in a race for the 4th position in the finals. The Bulldogs are just one win behind Cronulla who are on 34 points, 14-7 record and probably have to win all 3 matches remaining to remain in the top 4.

Interestingly, the team that does end up in 4th will need to face a daunting task, taking on the Storm in week one in Melbourne could be the reward for that team, 5th will play 8th so that may well be what Cronulla could prefer? Cronulla also have a not so easy end to the season, a home match against the Warriors should be easy enough but away to St George this week and Manly to finish.

Cronulla managed to sneak a victory last weekend to keep them in the hunt for a top 4 finish when they won at home against a gallant Newcastle side. Scoring to tries within 10 minutes, Cronulla were out of the gates quickly but incredibly trailed at HT 10-12.

The Knights pushed that lead out to 8 points early in the second half but Cronulla hung I there and eventually tied the scores with 6 to play. The match headed to golden point, both teams had attempts rubbed out for some fairly weak infringements but on the third attempt, Cronulla slotted a field goal to win by 1, 19-18.

Cronulla Sharks Team News - A lot of changes here. Braydon Trindall starts in the halves, while Kayal Iro, Teig Wilton and Tom Hazelton all return. Sam Stonestreet comes in on the wing and Jack Williams and Royce Hunt both move to the bench.

Odds

Storm start favourites due to their amazing home record, $2.25 to $1.65, the line 2.5 points and total points is 47.5

The Betting Verdict

The Sharks are on an eight game winning streak against the Dragons dating back to 2020 when the Dragons last won, however the overall record is not as skewed, 59 matches played, 23-29 with one draw. At this ground the Dragons have won four of their past five games at WIN Stadium this season and win 61% at home, while the Sharks are just 3-6.

The last match played between these 2 was in round 9, 2024 the Sharks claiming that one, 20-10. Hynes was playing and at this stage the Sharks were on top of the ladder, it was 3 tries to 2, Hynes goal kicking getting the Sharks home. With Hynes out, the Sharks are not the same team and the Dragons have grown a huge amount under Shane Flanagan making this match rather intriguing.

The Dragons represent great value at $2.25 while playing at home and with the Sharks no where near the same force they were earlier in the Season, I see the Dragons a huge chance of winning this one with the carrot of playing finals football on the line.

The other solid option here is the combined points under 47.5, the Sharks of late have become a team that nearly always gets into a tight tough battle with their opposition, just like we saw last weekend against the Knights. Making me believe that this match will likely not achieve that threshold. I’m therefore tipping St George to upset the Sharks in this one, probably in a close one returning $2.25 or $3.50 if you take the 1-12 option.

Dragons by 4.

The Pick :

St George Dragons 22-18 Cronulla Sharks

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take St George Dragons to win returning $2.25 with Bet365