Last week, the Chooks claimed their fourth minor premiership in six years under coach Trent Robinson, with an emphatic 44-10 win over the wooden-spoon winning Eels.
Whilst the Roosters have dominated the regular season in recent times, their conversion to premierships is nothing to crow about.
With only one in three minor premierships leading to a Grand Final win, coach Robinson will be hoping the experience of Cooper Cronk will be enough to guide the Chooks to their second Premiership in six years.
The tri-colours' form entering the finals series has been less than inspiring, winning only one of their last three games including losses to Canberra and Brisbane.
The return of half Luke Keary from injury has helped stabilise their form, but this clash against the Sharks is by far their biggest test this season.
Cronulla have been the in-form team of the competition in recent weeks. However, with seven of their past ten games coming up against teams outside of the top-eight, it's fair to say they've had a soft run on their way to the finals.
They are one win and two losses against top-eight sides in the past ten games, falling to the Broncos in round 15 and 20, only to bounce back and defeat the Storm in round 22.
In their last two meetings, the Roosters have had the wood over the Sharks and are deserved favourites going into this one.
Watch for the clash between rivals Wade Graham and Cooper Cronk.
Much has been made in the media this week of the great job Graham has done over the years to shut Cronk down, but with so much to play for here, expect neither to back down.
Cronk is on a different level to Graham and if the Sharks place too much attention on the star half, they’ll be heavily exposed by the combination of Keary and the talented left-edge attack of James Tedesco, Boyd Cordiner and Latrell Mitchell.
Watch below to see what Latrell Mitchell is capable of as he reeks havoc against the Dragons' right edge defence in round 20.
The Sharks will need to be at their defensive best to defeat the Roosters.
Cronulla play their best footy when they roll up their sleeves and grind through the hard yards, just like they did in their 17-14 victory over the Storm in round 22.
R Leutele (Sharks), Nil (Roosters)
S Sorenson (Sharks), Nil (Roosters)
Mostly Cloudy and 12 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Average points scored: Roosters 22.6 / Sharks 21.6
Average points conceded: Roosters 15.0 / Sharks 17.6
Cronulla have won 3 of their last 5 games against Chooks
The Roosters have won 7 of their last 10 games, with 2 of those 7 wins against top-eight sides
The Sharks have won 5 of their last 10 games, with 3 of those 5 wins against top-eight sides
Key NRL Betting Stats
The Sharks have covered the line at 58.3% this season: Sharks +4.5 @ $1.90
Latrell Mitchell (6) leads both teams in first try scorers this season: Latrell Mitchell first try @ $9
Josh Dugan has scored a try in his last four games: Josh Dugan any time try @ $3.75
The Sharks have won their last four away games to the Roosters: Sharks win @ $2.45
Each of the Roosters last 7 finals games has resulted in 'Over' total match points: Over total match points of 34.5@ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: Sharks at the line of +4.5 @ $1.90
Reasoning: The bookies have given Cronulla a generous +4.5 start here. Given the Sharks have been in better form and have a good win record against the Roosters, it's fair to suggest that this game will be a very close encounter.
Whilst the Roosters are deserved favourites, the Sharks will be in this game for a long way and it's likely to be decided by 1-2 points either way.
Sep 07, 2018 07:01 PM
AAP
R Leutele (Sharks), Nil (Roosters)
S Sorenson (Sharks), Nil (Roosters)
Mostly Cloudy and 12 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Key NRL Betting Stats
NRL Betting Tip: Sharks at the line of +4.5 @ $1.90
