Round 21 comes to a close with a belter of a match between fierce rivals the Manly Sea Eagles and the Cronulla Sharks at 4 Pines Park on Sunday.

The Sea Eagles fell 38-32 against the Titans last Sunday, marking a third consecutive defeat, with an urgent shift in form necessary to push for a top-eight spot.

Tom Trbojevic is out after another hamstring injury, with Lehi Hopoate shifting to fullback and Josh Feledy joining the backline. Ben Trbojevic returns from a concussion to bolster the forward pack.

Meanwhile, the Sharks are trending in the opposite direction, securing a seventh win from their past eight matches with a 20-18 result over fellow top-four contender Newcastle last Friday.

Cronulla is boosted by the returns of Jesse Ramien, Siosifa Talakai and Jesse Colquhoun as they arrive at Brookvale with genuine top-four momentum.

The Sharks have dominated this matchup in recent years, winning seven of the past eight meetings. The venue historically gives Manly a lift, but without Turbo, the Sea Eagles are a different proposition.

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights, check out our Sea Eagles vs Sharks Round 21 prediction and preview below.

Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

The final game of NRL Round 21 sees the Sea Eagles return home desperate to rediscover the magic of Fozball against a red-hot Cronulla side.

The Sharks swam further into the top four last start with a hard-fought win over Newcastle, while the Sea Eagles dropped outside of the eight altogether. The blows kept coming for Manly with talisman Tommy Turbo suffering yet another hamstring injury, ruling him out of this one.

It appears the Sea Eagles seem destined to finish their season as they started it, with a losing streak - unless they can find a way to stop the bleeding quickly. Unfortunately, we can't see them getting the best of a Sharks side gunning for win number four on the spin, particularly without the services of Turbo, who opened the scoring in the first minute last week.

Head-to-head prediction: Cronulla Sharks.

First Try Scorer Prediction

The vision of Sione Katoa scoring in the corner is etched in just about every rugby league fan's memory.

Probably the best finisher in the competition right now, Katoa finds a way to the line regardless of the occasion.

You'd have to be pretty silly to bet against him in any game, let alone one where the Sharks arrive full of confidence.

Betting tip: Sione Katoa.

Over/Under Prediction

Each of Manly's last six home matches have gone under the total match points line. The Sea Eagles play a defensive, grinding style at Brookvale, and even in defeat they tend to keep scorelines relatively contained. Without Turbo to create something from nothing, don't expect this one to open up.

Betting tip: Under total match points.

Line Prediction

The Sharks are -2.5 and look primed to cover it. With four genuine class players returning in Ramien, Talakai and Colquhoun, and Cronulla hitting form at exactly the right time of year, they should have enough to get the job done by a comfortable margin.

Betting tip: Sharks (-2.5) line.

Sea Eagles vs Sharks Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips

Ronaldo Mulitalo

One of the Sharks' most reliable finishers, Mulitalo gets regular ball on his edge and converts. In a game where Cronulla are expected to control field position, he's well placed to score and he’ll definitely be throwing shade on Manly while doing it.

KL Iro

Iro is a powerful centre who makes ground every time he gets the ball. He and Mulitalo form a threatening combination out wide and Iro has the power to bust tackles near the line.

Jason Saab

The Sea Eagles have finally worked out how to use Saab's speed, with Olakau'atu chiming in as a ball player in shape to get him on the outside. He'll get his opportunities and has the pace to finish them.

Lehi Hopoate

Shifted to fullback in the absence of Turbo, Hopoate is dangerous in open play and will spend plenty of time in the action. His attacking instincts make him a live option to cross.

Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks Teams

Manly Sea Eagles Team List

1. Lehi Hopoate
2. Jason Saab
3. Josh Feledy
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Tolutau Koula
6. Joey Walsh
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Simione Laiafi
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Nicholas Lenaz
15. Nathan Brown
16. Kobe Hetherington
17. Ethan Bullemor

Cronulla Sharks Team List

1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. KL Iro
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Thomas Hazelton
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Cameron McInnes
14. Jesse Colquhoun
15. Billy Burns
16. Siosifa Talakai
17. Oregon Kaufusi

Sea Eagles vs Sharks Match Details

Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026.

Kick-off: 4:05pm AEST.

Location: 4 Pines Park, Sydney.