The official team lists are in for Sharks vs Raiders, with some important changes creating fresh betting opportunities. Cronulla lose Addin Fonua-Blake and Jesse Ramien, while Canberra have reshuffled their pack and backline with Simi Sasagi and Corey Horsburgh dropping out.
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Biggest Winners – Sharks
KL Iro
Iro returns from concussion and goes straight back into the centres, replacing the injured Ramien in Cronulla’s backline.
Our Tip: KL Iro – Anytime Try Scorer
Sione Katoa
Katoa remains on Cronulla’s right wing and should get opportunities outside Hiroti, Hynes and Nikora if the Sharks can generate attacking field position.
Our Tip: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Briton Nikora
Nikora retains his spot on Cronulla’s right edge and offers a strong close-range running option against Canberra’s reshuffled side.
Our Tip: Briton Nikora – Anytime Try Scorer
Biggest Losers – Sharks
Addin Fonua-Blake
Fonua-Blake is suspended for one game, forcing Oregon Kaufusi into the starting front row. It’s a significant loss against a Canberra pack led by Joseph Tapine.
Our Tip: Joseph Tapine – Over Run Metres
Jesse Ramien
Ramien is sidelined with a pectoral injury, forcing another change to Cronulla’s centres.
Our Tip: Xavier Savage – Anytime Try Scorer
Sharks Middle
Without Fonua-Blake, more responsibility falls on Kaufusi, Jesse Colquhoun and Cameron McInnes against Tapine, Morgan Smithies and Canberra’s middle rotation.
Our Tip: Joseph Tapine – Over Run Metres
Biggest Winners – Raiders
Savelio Tamale
Tamale comes into the centres with Sasagi being rested ahead of shoulder surgery. It’s an opportunity for the powerful outside back to attack Cronulla’s reshuffled backline.
Our Tip: Savelio Tamale – Anytime Try Scorer
Matty Nicholson
Nicholson moves into the starting back row following Canberra’s forward reshuffle. The starting role should increase his workload compared with an interchange assignment.
Our Tip: Matty Nicholson – Over Tackles
Joseph Tapine
Fonua-Blake’s suspension is a major boost to Tapine’s matchup. The Raiders captain now faces a Sharks front row of Oregon Kaufusi and Jesse Colquhoun.
Our Tip: Joseph Tapine – Over Run Metres
Biggest Losers – Raiders
Simi Sasagi
Sasagi has been rested ahead of end-of-season shoulder surgery, with Tamale taking his place in the centres.
Betting impact: His absence creates a new Canberra edge combination that Cronulla may look to target.
Corey Horsburgh
Horsburgh has been dropped from the side, with Ata Mariota moving into the front row and Nicholson joining the starting back row.
Our Tip: Ata Mariota – Over Run Metres
Raiders Right Edge
Cronulla have KL Iro and Ronaldo Mulitalo paired on their left edge, with Iro returning from concussion.
Our Tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
Early Betting Verdict
The team sheets create several appealing anytime try scorer and player prop markets, but Fonua-Blake’s suspension is arguably the most important change because of how it alters the battle through the middle.
Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
Iro’s return restores a dangerous combination on Cronulla’s left side, while Canberra have made changes to their outside backs.
Our Tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Cronulla’s right winger remains one of their most dangerous finishers and should benefit if Hynes and Trindall can establish field position.
Our Tip: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Joseph Tapine – Run Metres
This is one of the clearest team-list-driven props. With Fonua-Blake suspended, Tapine has an opportunity to attack a Cronulla middle missing its premier prop.
Our Tip: Joseph Tapine – Over Run Metres
Matty Nicholson – Tackles
Nicholson’s promotion into the starting back row should increase his minutes and defensive involvement.
Our Tip: Matty Nicholson – Over Tackles
Nicho Hynes – Try Assists
Canberra’s defensive reshuffle creates opportunities for Cronulla’s playmakers, and Hynes should again be heavily involved in directing the Sharks’ attack.
Our Tip: Nicho Hynes – 1+ Try Assist
Xavier Savage – Anytime Try Scorer
Cronulla’s backline has been forced into another change with Ramien unavailable. Savage’s speed makes him an interesting option if Canberra can exploit any uncertainty in the Sharks’ edge combinations.
Our Tip: Xavier Savage – Anytime Try Scorer
Best Bet From The Team Lists
Joseph Tapine – Over Run Metres
Fonua-Blake’s suspension is the biggest matchup change from the original team sheets. Tapine is Canberra’s starting prop and captain, and the Sharks will instead start Kaufusi and Colquhoun in the front row.
That makes Tapine’s run metre line my preferred team-list-driven bet, provided Sportsbet or TAB doesn’t set the number excessively high.
Value Bet
Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
The return of KL Iro strengthens Cronulla’s left side, while Canberra’s changes create a slightly different defensive combination. Mulitalo gives us a more attractive try-scoring angle than simply backing one of the Sharks’ short-priced favourites.
Our Tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
