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Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights NRL Round 26 Tips - Knights armour no match for Shark bite

ryan-tucker
Ryan Tucker
Editor
Last updated: Thu 28 Aug 2025 12:58

In the upcoming NRL Round 26, the Cronulla Sharks are poised to dominate the Newcastle Knights. The Sharks, known as flat track bullies, boast an impressive 11-2 record against bottom-nine teams this season, averaging 30 points per game. With KL Iro's return, their offensive lineup is strengthened. Conversely, the Knights face a significant defensive slump, losing their last seven games, allowing over 44 points per game recently. Experts predict a decisive Sharks victory, suggesting they will cover the line, with KL Iro likely to score again.

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Ryan Tucker 28 Aug 2025
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  • Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights expert predictions for Sunday’s Round 26 NRL game
  • Kick off is at 2:00 PM (AEST) at Shark Park
  • Sharks: 11-2 record against bottom 9 teams, avg. 30 points/game wins.
  • Knights: 7-game losing streak, allowing avg. 44 pts/game last 4 matches.
  • KL Iro returns; scored every game this season, expect him to score again.
Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights NRL Round 26 Tips

Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights, Round 26 2025 - Expert Prediction


It will be the flattest of tracks for the Sharks bullies as they are expected to tear apart the Knights on Sunday afternoon.

Cronulla have an 11-2 record against current bottom 9 teams this season, averaging 30 pts per game in their wins. They are the quintessential flat track bully. Their most recent outing before the bye showed that when things are clicking they can pile on points and now they welcome back one of the most dynamic tryscorers in the NRL in KL Iro, this could get ugly.

The Knights were never really good in attack but now they have completely fallen off a cliff defensively, allowing 35.7 pts to opponents through their 7 game losing streak and 44 pts per game just over the last 4. Their motivation is nowhere to be seen and it looks like the team has checked out for 2025.

The Sharks will win this one, the question is by how much. Take them to cover the line and their team total over. KL Iro has scored in all 9 games he has played this season. Lock him in for another!

  • The Sharks are 11-2 against bottom 9 opponents this season.
  • Cronulla have scored 30 or more points in 6 of those 11 wins including the last 2.
  • Newcastle have allowed an average of 44 pts to opponents over their last 4 games.
  • KL Iro has scored 10 tries in 9 games this season, crossing the line in each appearance.

Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights Round 26 Cheat Sheet


Sharks vs Knights Rd 26 Cheat Sheet
Download PDF

Head to Head 


Cronulla have won 5 of the last 6 games against Newcastle but the overall head to head record since the start of the 2019 season is 5-5.

The most recent matchup, earlier this season at McDonald Jones Stadium ended 34-14 in favour of the Sharks.

The Under has hit in 6 of 10 games while the winning margin of 13+ has also hit in 6 of the last 10 games.

Cronulla Sharks Form Analysis


The Sharks had their final bye of the season last weekend and are riding a wave of momentum, winning 5 of their last 6 games including a 54-22 beat down of the Gold Coast Titans in their most recent outing. 

Cronulla are the flat track bullies of the NRL, they are 11-2 against current bottom 9 teams but just 2-7 against fellow top 8 opponents and could even go up into a top 4 spot with a win here and other results to their favour.

The Sharks are 4th in the NRL in scoring over the last 5 games and have the 3rd best home record at 9-2. 

Cronulla Sharks Team News


A massive in for the Sharks with KL Iro returning from a long stint on the sidelines with injury. Sifa Talakai reverts to the bench. 

Cam McInnes injured his ACL in the Sharks most recent match before the bye, he is replaced by Jesse Colquhoun. Braden Hamlin-Uele was a late scratching two weeks ago but takes his place here, Tuku Hau Tapuha goes back to the reserves.

Cronulla Sharks Team List


1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Mawene Hiroti
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. Hohepa Puru 
15. Sifa Talakai 
16. Thomas Hazelton
17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves
18. Daniel Atkinson 
19. Tuku Hau Tapuha
20. Jayden Berrell 
21. Sam Stonestreet 
​​​​​​​22. Niwhai Puru


Newcastle Knights Form Analysis


The Knights are on a 7 game skid and it has not been pretty. They have averaged just 13.2 pts across that span with the team just unable to bring any creativity to the table no matter where they are on the field.

Defensively they have fallen off a cliff, an average of 35.7 pts to opponents through this losing streak and 44 pts per game just over the last 4. It is a far cry from the 18.8 pts per game they restricted opponents to prior to this streak commencing.

There isn’t much light in the tunnel for the Knights, a difficult situation to try and find motivation to turn up and play. Dane Gagai and Bradman Best have been trying but it isn’t enough.

Newcastle Knights Team News


The same team that ended up playing the game last weekend is the team that has been named for this week’s battle. 

Newcastle Knights Team List


1. Dane Gagai
2. Dom Young
3. James Schiller 
4. Bradman Best
5. Fletcher Hunt 
6. Jake Arthur 
7. Jack Cogger 
8. Jacob Saifiti
9. Phoenix Crossland 
10. Leo Thompson
11. Jermaine McEwen 
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Tyson Frizell 

Interchange
14. Jayden Brailey 
15. Mat Croker
16. Thomas Cant 
17. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana

Reserves
18. Greg Marzhew
19. Jack Hetherington 
20. Matthew Arthur 
21. Connor Votano
​​​​​​​22. Lachlan Crouch


Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights NRL 2025 Round 26 FAQ’s

How to watch Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights NRL 2025 Round 26?

You can watch the Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights NRL 2025 Round 26 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights NRL 2025 Round 26?

To buy tickets to the Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights NRL 2025 Round 26 game check the NRL website or the official Cronulla Sharks site.

Verdict

The Sharks will win this one, the question is by how much. Take them to cover the line and their team total over. KL Iro has scored in all 9 games he has played this season. Lock him in for another!
Best Bet1: Cronulla -17.5 Line $1.90 at Pandabet - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Sharks Over 32.5 Team Total $1.90 at Playup - 2 Units
Best Bet3: KL Iro Anytime Tryscorer $1.95 at dabble - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: KL Iro First Tryscorer $9.50 at dabble - 1 Unit
Cronulla -17.5
Line
$1.90 - 3 Units
Pandabet
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The Pandabet.com.au code is BETSAUS. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Pandabet
Sharks Over 32.5
Team Total
$1.90 - 2 Units
Use Easyform
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Bet at Playup
KL Iro
Anytime Tryscorer
$1.95 - 1 Unit
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KL Iro
First Tryscorer
$9.50 - 1 Unit
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with referral code BETSAU

Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

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