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St George Illawarra Dragons vs Cronulla Sharks NRL Tips - Sharks to make it 11 straight wins over Dragons

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Wed. 06 Aug. 2025 10:43

Andrew Hendrie 06 Aug. 2025

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St George Illawarra Dragons vs Cronulla Sharks expert predictions for Saturday's NRL Round 23 game
Kick off is at 3.00pm AEST at Jubilee Stadium
Sharks set for 11th consecutive victory over the Dragons
Dragons tipped to keep it close, with their last five defeats coming by a 1-12 margin
Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bets

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Cronulla Sharks NRL Tips

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Cronulla Sharks, NRL Round 23 - Expert Prediction

The Sharks are tipped to extend their recent dominance over the Dragons to further entrench themselves in the top eight when the two teams clash at Jubilee Stadium to kick off Super Saturday.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Cronulla Sharks, NRL Round 23 - Expert Prediction
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Cronulla Sharks Round 23 Cheat Sheet
Head To Head
St George Illawarra Dragons Form Analysis
St George Illawarra Dragons Team News
St George Illawarra Dragons Team List
Cronulla Sharks Form Analysis
Cronulla Sharks Team News
Cronulla Sharks Team List

Cronulla have won the last 10 meetings between the teams and haven't lost to the Dragons at Jubilee Stadium since 2016. I expect the boys from the Shire to extend that streak, but it won't be easy, with St George Illawarra showcasing some great fight and resolve basically all season long.

Indeed, the Dragons have seen a 1-12 margin in 14 of their 19 games this season and are coming off a tremendous 18-12 upset of competition leaders Canberra last week. However, that game was played in atrocious conditions and the Raiders were due a loss - I don't think lightning strikes twice here. Plenty of points have been scored in recent meetings between these sides, so backing Over 46.5, while Briton Nikora has enjoyed lots of recent tryscoring success against the Dragons and can barge over once again for Cronulla on the right edge.

Sharks have won their last 10 games vs Dragons
Sharks haven't lost at Jubilee Stadium vs Dragons since 2016
Sharks are on a four-game winning streak
Sharks have won their last six games vs bottom nine teams
Sharks beat Dragons 30-18 earlier this season
Dragons have seen a 1-12 margin in 14 of their last 19 games
Dragons' last five defeats have been by a 1-12 margin
Over 46.5 points has landed in four of the last five meetings
Dragons have seen Over 46.5 points in six of their last eight games
Sharks have seen Over 46.5 points in six of their last 10 games
Briton Nikora has scored five tries in his last five games vs Dragons

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Cronulla Sharks Round 23 Cheat Sheet

Dragons vs Sharks Rd 23 Cheat Sheet

Head To Head

As mentioned, the Sharks have completely dominated this rivalry for the better part of the last decade, winning the last 10 encounters - including a most-recent 30-18 triumph in Round 15 earlier this season, with Cronulla recovering from a 18-6 half-time deficit.

St George Illawarra Dragons Form Analysis

The Dragons are six points adrift of the top eight and almost certainly set to miss the finals for the seventh straight year, but they gave their fans something to cheer about last week as they took down the Raiders in Wollongong.

As they've done all season, St George Illawarra stayed in the fight and out-grinded the grind masters in Canberra in the torrential rain. Kyle Flanagan scored 10 points with his boot and played some smart footy to lead his side to victory.

That sort of game management has been the missing link for the Dragons all season, with the team losing countless close matches - including three by just one point. Win just a couple of those games and who knows, the Dragons are probably right in the finals mix heading into the final few rounds of the season.

St George Illawarra Dragons Team News

No reason to change things this week for Shane Flanagan as he's named the same 17 players that took down Canberra.

St George Illawarra Dragons Team List

1. Clinton Gutherson

2. Tyrell Sloan

3. Moses Suli

4. Mathew Feagai

5. Corey Allan

6. Lyhkan King-Togia

7. Kyle Flanagan

8. Emre Guler

9. Damien Cook

10. David Klemmer

11. Luciano Leilua

12. Michael Molo

13. Jack de Belin

Interchange

14. Jacob Liddle

15. Hamish Stewart

16. Hame Sele

17. Blake Lawrie

Reserves

18. Hayden Buchanan

19. Ben Murdoch-Masila

20. Lachlan Ilias

21. Jacob Halangahu

22. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga

Cronulla Sharks Form Analysis

I feel like the Sharks have just been going through the motions all season long, but they are a classy side and are strongly positioned for a 10th finals appearance in the last 11 years.

Cronulla have three games against teams below them on the ladder coming up, so it's a great opportunity for Craig Fitzgibbon's side to cement their top eight status.

The Sharks raced out to a 26-0 lead after just 36 minutes against the hapless Cowboys last week and 50+ points certainly appeared on the cards. However, Cronulla took their foot off the pedal, and while they were never in any real danger in closing out a 32-12 victory, Fitzgibbon will want his team to be more ruthless heading into the business end of the year - especially after they also barely got home in a two-point victory over the depleted Rabbitohs the previous week.

Nevertheless, that was Cronulla's fourth straight victory and it would be a massive shock if they missed out on the finals from here.

Cronulla Sharks Team News

Jesse Colquhoun is suspended for this clash, but Toby Rudolf is back from concussion and joins the bench in the only change from last week.

Cronulla Sharks Team List

1. William Kennedy

2. Sione Katoa

3. Jesse Ramien

4. Siosifa Talakai

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Braydon Trindall

7. Nicho Hynes

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

9. Blayke Brailey

10. Oregon Kaufusi

11. Briton Nikora

12. Teig Wilton

13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange

14. Daniel Atkinson

15. Toby Rudolf

16. Thomas Hazelton

17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves

18. Billy Burns

19. Mawene Hiroti

20. Hohepa Puru

21. Jayden Berrell

22. Samuel Stonestreet

Verdict

St George Illawarra Dragons v Cronulla Sharks

The Sharks are backed for an 11th consecutive victory over the Dragons, but the hosts can once again keep it close in a game that should feature plenty of points.

Briton Nikora crossed when these sides met in Round 15 and can make it six tries in six appearances vs the Dragons here.

Over 46.5

Total Points

$1.90 - 3 Units

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