The Cronulla Sharks will be out to continue their dominance over their Southern Shire rivals when they take on the St. George Illawarra Dragons at Jubilee Stadium on Sunday. 

The Sharks are riding a five-match winning streak, with their most recent result a 32-16 win over the Rabbitohs.

That result kept them inside the top four and two points ahead of the fifth-placed Dolphins. 

Cronulla has won 11 of the past 12 meetings with St. George Illawarra, including a 34-12 result earlier this season. Meanwhile, the Dragons fell 28-22 to the Dolphins last Friday. 

For the Sharks, Mawene Hiroti replaces KL Iro in the centres while Hohepa Puru comes onto the bench in place of the injured Siosifa Talakai. Michael Gabrael and Braden Uele are also new faces on the extended interchange. 

Emre Guler comes into the Dragons’ starting side in place of Toby Couchman, while Mathew Feagai and debutant Jacob Webster are added to the bench.

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights ahead of this Southern Shire showdown, check out our Dragons vs Sharks tips and predictions below!

Dragons vs Sharks Prediction and Betting Tips 

Head-to-Head Prediction 

The final game of NRL Round 23 and the final game of 2026 edition of Indigenous Round sees St George and the Sharks doing battle at Jubilee Stadium on Sunday.

To the Dragon’s credit, they sure do make our job easy. Simply don’t tip them for the best possible results. 

They came close to finding just their third win of the season last week, going down by six points in a respectable showing against the Dragons.

The Sharks, meanwhile, notched their fifth straight win, putting the Rabbitohs to the sword to remain in fourth, with a couple of big boys in Siosifa Talakai and Addin Fonua-Blake getting on the scorecard in the process. 

In terms of who to tip here, see above – not the Dragons.

Betting tip: Cronulla Sharks.

First Try Scorer Prediction 

One of the main reasons why the Sharks have won their last five games in a row is the form of main man Nicho Hynes. 

Often unfairly scrutinised due to his hefty price tag, it’s sometimes easy to forget that this man won the Dally M in his first season at the Sharks.

He is nearing that kind of form once again and has scored at least one try in each of Cronulla's last two away matches.

Against a Dragon’s defensive line you could drive a truck through at times, we can see a Nicho show and go leading to an early try in this one. 

Betting tip: Nicho Hynes. 

Over/Under Prediction 

Six of Cronulla's last seven away matches in New South Wales have gone under the total match points line.

Betting tip: Under (50.5) total match points. 

Line Prediction

Cronulla has covered the line in each of their last seven matches against teams on a losing streak.

Betting tip: Sharks (-14.5) line. 

Dragons vs Sharks Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips 

Tyrell Sloan

Tyrell Sloan has scored a try in each of St. George Illawarra's last four matches in New South Wales.

Ronaldo Mulitalo

Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored at least one try in nine of his last 10 appearances against opponents that were ranked lower on the ladder.

Setu Tu

Setu Tu has scored a try in five of St. George Illawarra's last six matches as a home underdog.

William Kennedy

William Kennedy has scored a try in each of Cronulla's last four matches against teams on a losing streak.

Braydon Trindall

Braydon Trindall has scored a try in each of Cronulla's last three matches against the team that was on the bottom of the ladder.

Valentine Holmes

Valentine Holmes has scored at least one try in each of his last three appearances against Cronulla in Sydney.

Briton Nikora

Briton Nikora has scored a try in each of his last three appearances against opponents that were ranked in the bottom four.

Dragons vs Sharks Teams 

St George Illawarra Dragons Team List 

1. Clint Gutherson

2. Setu Tu

3. Moses Suli

4. Valentine Holmes

5. Tyrell Sloan

6. Lyhkan King-Togia

7. Kyle Flanagan

8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga

9. Damien Cook (c)

10. Emre Guler

11. Dylan Egan 

12. Hamish Stewart

13. Ryan Couchman

14. Jacob Liddle

15. Josh Kerr

16. Jacob Halangahu

17. Jacob Webster

18. Daniel Atkinson

19. Mathew Feagai

Cronulla Sharks Team List 

1. Will Kennedy 

2. Sione Katoa

3. Jesse Ramien 

4. Mawene Hiroti

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Braydon Trindall 

7. Nicho Hynes

8. Addin Fanua-Blake

9. Blayke Brailey (c)

10. Jesse Colquhoun

11. Briton Nikora

12. Teig Wilton 

13. Cam McInnes

14. Hohepa Puru

15. Billy Burns

16. Oregon Kaufusi

17. Tom Hazelton

18. Michael Gabrael

19. Braden Uele

Dragons vs Sharks Match Details 

Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026. 

Kick-off: 4:05pm AEST. 

Location: Jubilee Stadium, Sydney.