NRL Round 26 Preview and Prediction - Newcastle Knights v Cronulla Sharks @ McDonald Jones Stadium

Newcastle Knights (16th) v Cronulla Sharks (5th) @ McDonald Jones Stadium
 
Preview - The Knights will be fired up for Old Boys Day in Newcastle as they host the Sharks looking to end their season on a high. Newcastle have progressed nicely this season under Nathan Brown, improving from a 1-win team to a 5-win team. However their 3rd straight wooden spoon was confirmed last week with a 46-28 loss to the Raiders. The Sharks suffered their most costly and dramatic loss of the season as a penalty against Paul Gallen in the final minutes saw them slump to a 16-14 loss to the Roosters and lose their position in the all-important Top 4. With the Eels playing the Rabbitohs, the Sharks look like they will have to defend their title the hard way from outside the Top 4, playing sudden death football. 

History - The Knights pushed the Sharks all the way earlier this season before going down 19-18 at Shark Park. However the Sharks destroyed the Knights last season in Newcastle winning 62-0. However in the 7 clashes prior to that game 5 were decided by 4 points or less. 
 
Newcastle Knights’ Scouting Report - The Knights have made the decision to rest Sione Mata’utia due to a few concussions he suffered throughout the season. Daniel Saifiti is out, with brother Jacob to start at prop with Josh King. Tyrone Amey joins the bench for the Knights’ final game of the season.
 
Cronulla Sharks’ Scouting Report - There is a big doubt surrounding one of the Sharks’ key players with Wade Graham named, but no certainly to play, this week after the leg injury that saw him fail to finish the game against the Roosters last week. Jeremy Latimore replaces Sam Tagataese on the bench, while the Sharks could be boosted by the return of strike centre Jack Bird who is included on the extended bench.
 
Verdict - Sharks by 1-8 in a high scoring game 

Newcastle generally always lift on Old Boys Day, so this is a real danger game for a Sharks’ side that is hard to get a read-on heading into the finals. The Knights always get a massive home crowd for their final home game and, with all their old legends in attendance, I expect them to be a real chance of pulling off an upset here. The Sharks will need to pick themselves up off the canvas after such a vital loss last week; however they have a great record in Newcastle so they won’t be worried heading up there for a big occasion. I expect this to be a high scoring game, and close, but the Sharks to get over the line to head into the finals with a close victory.