NRL Round 5 Preview and Prediction - Cronulla Sharks v Newcastle Knights @ Shark Park

Newcastle Knights v Cronulla Sharks @ Shark Park
 
Preview - The Sharks will be setting their sights on back-to-back victories for the first time in 2017 when they take on the struggling Newcastle Knights at Shark Park on Saturday afternoon. Shane Flanagan's men have been a hard team to get a read on in 2017, alternating losses with wins over the opening month of the season. Last week the Sharks negotiated a tough away game against the Eels at ANZ Stadium with ease, running out 20-6 winners in a game where their defence was crushing and they showed their quality in patches with the football. The Knights, meanwhile, crashed back to earth with a thud as they were humbled 40-0 by the Panthers at Pepper Stadium. During the opening three games, Newcastle had been extremely competitive with one victory and their biggest loss being by 6 points. However, this was a performance more reminiscent of their 2016 campaign as they were dominated from start to finish. 
 
History - The Sharks have dominated the Knights in the past couple of years winning the past four encounters. Newcastle were embarrassed twice last year by Cronulla, losing 62-0 in Newcastle and 36-4 at Shark Park. The Knights hold a strong historical record winning 27 and losing 20 against the Sharks with 1 draw. 
 
Cronulla Sharks’ Scouting Report - The Sharks have stuck with the same 17 that did the job in convincing fashion last week against the Eels. James Segeyaro retains his place on the bench after he came on with a 20-minute cameo in his debut for the Club last week. The Sharks’ forwards produced plenty of dangerous offloads last week and I’m sure they will be looking to use that as a tactic against a Knights’ defence that was dominated in the middle of the field against the Panthers last week.
 
Newcastle Knights’ Scouting Report - Brendon Elliott is back at fullback for the Knights this week after sitting out Round 4 with concussion. Jaelen Feaney is on standby for Brock Lamb at five eight after Lamb failed to train earlier in the week. Nathan Brown will want a bit more from his pack this week, who were rolled easily against Penrith in the opening 20 minutes last week. After losing by a combined score of 96-4 to the Sharks last season, the Knights can ill afford a slow start here or the floodgates could open. 
 
Verdict - Sharks by 20+
 
I can't see much else here other than a thumping victory for the Sharks. With a sunny day in Sydney I think the Sharks will be able to showcase their full attacking arsenal. I think the Sharks will be really dirty on themselves, dropping their opening 2 home games as defending Premiers, and will be desperate to put on a show for their fans here. I think this Cronulla side have exactly the sort of game plan that gives the Knights all sorts oF problems. You saw last week how Newcastle couldn't deal with a side with power and pace in Penrith that are not afraid to throw the ball around, and I see similar problems for the Knights here. Put simply, the Sharks are too big, too strong and too quick for the Knights and I would not be surprised if they racked up a big score here.