The official team lists are in for Eels vs Sharks, with Parramatta regaining Dylan Walker and Bailey Simonsson while highly rated prop Ryda Talagi is set to make his NRL debut. Cronulla have made minimal changes as they continue their push for a top-four finish, creating some strong angles across the try-scorer, playmaker and forward markets.
Biggest Winners – Eels
Ronald Volkman
Volkman has now scored a try in three consecutive games, making him one of the more interesting Eels options at a potentially bigger price.
Our Tip: Ronald Volkman – Anytime Try Scorer
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Mitchell Moses
Moses retains the No.7 jersey alongside Volkman and remains the clear focal point of Parramatta’s attack.
Our Tip: Mitchell Moses – 1+ Try Assist
Dylan Walker
Walker returns from a wrist injury on the interchange and gives Parramatta another experienced ball-player through the middle.
Betting Impact: His bench role makes me cautious on individual overs, but his return should improve Parramatta’s attack when the starting middles rotate.
Biggest Losers – Eels
Apa Twidle
Twidle has been named at fullback with Sean Russell at centre, although NRL.com notes the pair could switch positions as they did against the Dolphins.
Betting Impact: I’d avoid Twidle’s positional player props until the final team and roles are confirmed.
Ryda Talagi
The NSW Under-19s prop will make his NRL debut from the bench after 13 NSW Cup appearances this season.
Betting Impact: Avoid his run-metre and tackle overs until we have a clearer idea of his NRL minutes.
Eels Edge Defence
Cronulla retain Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulitalo on the wings, with Nicho Hynes directing the attack from halfback.
Our Tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
Biggest Winners – Sharks
Ronaldo Mulitalo
Mulitalo plays his 150th NRL game and remains on Cronulla’s left wing outside KL Iro. Parramatta have beaten only one current top-eight side this season.
Our Tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
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Nicho Hynes
Hynes helped spark Cronulla’s comeback against the Titans last week with his passing to the edges, and the Sharks retain both Katoa and Mulitalo as finishers.
Our Tip: Nicho Hynes – 1+ Try Assist
Cameron McInnes
McInnes has again been named to start at lock, with Tom Hazelton on the bench. They could still swap on game day, so the final team will be important for his workload markets.
Our Tip: Cameron McInnes – Over Tackles if he starts at lock
Biggest Losers – Sharks
Tom Hazelton
Hazelton is named on the interchange after starting against the Titans, although another late swap with McInnes remains possible.
Betting Impact: Avoid his run-metre overs until the final team is confirmed.
Braden Uele
Uele returns to the extended interchange, adding another middle-forward option and potentially creating more competition for minutes.
Betting Impact: The extra middle rotation makes Cronulla forward overs less attractive outside the players with secure minutes.
Sharks Against Parramatta at Home
The Eels have quietly won three of their past four games at CommBank Stadium, so this isn’t necessarily as straightforward as the ladder positions suggest.
Betting Impact: I’d rather target Cronulla player markets than automatically take a big Sharks line.
Early Betting Verdict
Cronulla are the stronger side and have won three of their past four games against Parramatta, but the Eels’ recent CommBank Stadium record makes the player markets more attractive than taking a big Sharks handicap. Sportsbet currently has Cronulla $1.48 and Parramatta $2.66 head-to-head.
Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
Mulitalo’s 150th game comes with Hynes controlling a Cronulla attack that found success shifting the ball to its edges in last week’s comeback.
Our Tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
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Ronald Volkman – Anytime Try Scorer
This is the Eels player trend I want to follow. Volkman has crossed in three straight matches, yet as a five-eighth should still be available at a considerably better price than the outside backs.
Our Tip: Ronald Volkman – Anytime Try Scorer
Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Katoa gives us another way into Cronulla’s edge attack and should again benefit from Hynes creating space from inside.
Our Tip: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
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Nicho Hynes – Try Assists
Hynes’ passing was central to Cronulla turning around last week’s game against Gold Coast, and he has Katoa, Iro, Mulitalo, Nikora and Wilton around him.
Our Tip: Nicho Hynes – 1+ Try Assist
Mitchell Moses – Try Assists
Parramatta have won three of their past four at CommBank Stadium, and any upset threat should again run primarily through Moses.
Our Tip: Mitchell Moses – 1+ Try Assist
Cameron McInnes – Tackles
If McInnes remains the starting lock, he’s the Sharks forward I’d prefer to target for defensive involvement.
Our Tip: Cameron McInnes – Over Tackles if confirmed at No.13
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Best Bet From The Team Lists
Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
Cronulla have won three of their past four against Parramatta and enter the match still chasing a top-four finish. Hynes showed last week how dangerous the Sharks can be when they get the ball quickly to their edges, which makes Mulitalo my preferred finisher.
Our Tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
I’d also look at Mulitalo 2+ Tries as the higher-odds extension.
Value Bet
Ronald Volkman – Anytime Try Scorer
Volkman’s scoring form is difficult to ignore.
The Eels five-eighth has scored in three consecutive matches, and his position should ensure a considerably bigger anytime price than Parramatta’s wingers.
Our Tip: Ronald Volkman – Anytime Try Scorer
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Team List Betting Summary
Best Bet: Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
Value Bet: Ronald Volkman – Anytime Try Scorer
Other Sharks Try Scorer: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Sharks Playmaker Prop: Nicho Hynes – 1+ Try Assist
Eels Playmaker Prop: Mitchell Moses – 1+ Try Assist
Tackle Prop: Cameron McInnes – Over Tackles if confirmed at lock
Higher-Odds Play: Ronaldo Mulitalo – 2+ Tries
