NRL Round 2 Preview - Sharks v Dragons @ Shark Park

Cronulla Sharks v St. George Illawarra Dragons @ Shark Park
 
Preview - We get a massive Southern Sydney local derby here on Thursday night football, as the Dragons make the short trip to Shark Park to take on Cronulla. Dragons’ fans will be full of optimism after a clinical Round 1 performance where they swept aside the Broncos 34-12 at Jubilee Oval.  The Sharks will be looking to avoid back-to-back defeats to start season 2018, after going down narrowly 20-14 against the Cowboys in Townsville last week. 
 
History - The Dragons have the wood on their biggest rivals of late, winning 7 of the past 11 encounters. In 2017 honours were shared, with the Sharks winning 18-14 in Round 11 at Jubilee, whilst back in Round 3, the Dragons shocked the Sharks, holding on for a gripping 16-10 victory at Shark Park, in a game that was fiercely contested in the forwards. In 2016, the sides traded two wins apiece. However, overall the Dragons hold a slender advantage, with 20 victories and 18 defeats. 

Cronulla Sharks’ Scouting Report - The Sharks have lost young winger Sione Katoa, who broke his jaw and will miss the next couple of months, with Aaron Gray moving on to the wing. Luke Lewis remains unavailable, whilst it will be interesting to see what Shane Flanagan does with Valentine Holmes who, despite being named at fullback, is under pressure to retain the role after a poor performance there in Round 1. 
 
St. George Illawarra Dragons’ Scouting Report - Ben Hunt had an outstanding debut for his new Club, scoring an intercept try against his old Club, as well as providing several good short kicks. I was really impressed by the Dragons’ forward pack with the likes of De Belin and Frizell dominant in the back row, whilst James Graham played with plenty of intent in his debut for the Club. 
 

Verdict - Dragons by 1-6 in a low scoring game
 
I think this will be an absolute cracker of a game, with plenty of feeling and physicality about it. The Sharks will be desperate to win and avoid an 0-2 start, whilst the Dragons will want to show everyone they could be a Top 4 outfit this year by getting a big scalp on the road. I just think the Dragons can get on top in the forwards in this game, with the Sharks missing Luke Lewis in what will be a game where I expect plenty of niggle. The Sharks were patchy at home last season, and with the Dragons winning there last year, I'm tippling an upset here.