Biggest Winners – Sharks

Jesse Ramien

Ramien retains his place in the centres after returning last week and strengthens one of the NRL’s most dangerous right-edge combinations alongside Sione Katoa and Nicho Hynes. His physical running will test a Rabbitohs edge that has undergone plenty of changes throughout the season.

Betting impact: Ramien shapes as a genuine anytime try scorer chance and boosts Cronulla’s right-edge attack.

Nicho Hynes

Hynes again leads a settled Sharks spine and faces a Rabbitohs side still fighting to stay in the finals race. With Cronulla naming the same starting side, continuity should allow Hynes to dictate field position and create opportunities through both edges.

Betting impact: Hynes remains one of the strongest player market selections of the round, particularly for try assists and player performance markets.

Addin Fonua-Blake

Fonua-Blake continues to lead Cronulla’s powerful middle rotation and will be looking to lay the platform against a South Sydney pack welcoming back fresh reinforcements.

Betting impact: If Fonua-Blake wins the middle early, the Sharks’ head-to-head, line and team total markets all become stronger plays.

Biggest Losers – Sharks

Mawene Hiroti

Despite being available, Hiroti remains outside the starting 17 after Jesse Ramien’s successful return, limiting his opportunities in first grade.

Sharks interchange

Craig Fitzgibbon has again opted for a settled four-man bench, making minutes difficult to predict for several middle forwards.

Sharks left-edge defence

Containing Cody Walker and Alex Johnston remains one of Cronulla’s biggest defensive challenges, particularly close to the line.

Biggest Winners – Rabbitohs

Sean Keppie

Keppie has been recalled to the extended interchange, adding valuable size and experience to South Sydney’s middle rotation after missing recent matches.

Betting impact: His return improves the Rabbitohs’ forward depth and should help maintain intensity through the middle.

Tallis Duncan

Duncan also returns to the squad after injury and provides Wayne Bennett with another quality edge forward option heading into the weekend.

Betting impact: Duncan’s return strengthens South Sydney’s edge defence and gives Bennett greater flexibility with his rotation.

Cody Walker

Walker again partners Ashton Ward in the halves and remains the Rabbitohs’ chief attacking playmaker. His ability to create opportunities for Alex Johnston and Jack Wighton will be crucial if South Sydney is to upset Cronulla.

Betting impact: Walker remains the Rabbitohs’ best option in try assist and player performance markets.

Biggest Losers – Rabbitohs

Brandon Smith

Smith has again been named at hooker but faces one of the toughest assignments in the competition against Blayke Brailey and Cronulla’s dominant middle pack.

Rabbitohs middle forwards

The Sharks boast one of the NRL’s strongest forward packs through Addin Fonua-Blake, Cameron McInnes and Tom Hazelton, placing enormous pressure on South Sydney through the middle.

Rabbitohs outside backs

Cronulla’s settled backline has developed strong combinations over recent weeks, meaning South Sydney’s edge defence will need to be at its best for the full 80 minutes.

Early Betting Verdict

The biggest team-list takeaway is Cronulla’s decision to stick with the same starting side, giving the Sharks valuable continuity heading into an important clash. South Sydney receives a boost with the return of Sean Keppie and Tallis Duncan to the squad, improving the Rabbitohs’ forward depth. From a betting perspective, Cronulla’s settled spine led by Nicho Hynes, combined with its dominant middle rotation, remains the biggest advantage heading into Round 22, while South Sydney’s returning forwards help narrow the gap through the middle.