The Sharks travelled to Bathurst last week and recorded their third win in the past five matches with a hard fought and well deserved 18 -16 win over the Panthers.

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The Sharks were given little chance after two consecutive losses at home to Newcastle and the Cowboys but after scoring first and early in the match, they Sharks were able to maintain a slim advantage for most of the match before sowing some determined defence last in the game.

After playing in patches for most of the year, the Sharks submitted once of their best and most consistent performances for the season and will be a team that can cause plenty of trouble to those sides battling it our for a finals spot.

After a frustrating year Andrew Fifita is displaying the form that saw him selected for the Origin series last year whilst Fa’amanu Brown is looking more settled at five-eight with a few matches now under his belt.

EELS

Coming off four straight losses, the Eels recorded a much needed 24 – 18 win over the Titans last week on the Gold Coast. It was an uninspiring first half of football with each side only able to register one try apiece. It was only Jarryd Hayne’s two tries within a seven minute period in the second half that gave the Eels the advantage and ultimate victory. The win places the Eels on 22 points, tied with a five other teams but with a poor for and against record, their season hangs by a thread and significant improvement is still required. Only the one change for the Eels from last week with Peni Terepo replacing Kenny Edwards Last week wasn’t a convincing win by the Eels who had enough ball and chances to win by a margin greater than what they did. Against a gritty Sharks outfit, they’ll need to be better again.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Eels recorded a 42 – 24 win over the Sharks when the sides last met in round 9. It was the Eels third win over the Sharks and their past four clashes and it continued a recent tradition of high scoring matches with all bar one of the past six reaching at least 42 points. It’s hard to tip either side with a great deal of confidence and the market quite rightly, as little between them.

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Teams:

Cronulla Sharks:

Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Jonathan Wright, Ricky Leutele, Jacob Gagan, Fa’amanu Brown, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, Michael Lichaa, Sam Tagataese, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Pat Politoni, Anthony Tupou, Tinirau Arona, Tim Robinson, Tupou Sopoaga

Ins: Anthony Tupou, Tupou Sopoaga. Outs: Matt Prior (suspension, round 22)

Parramatta Eels:

Jarryd Hayne (c), Semi Radradra, Ryan Morgan, Will Hopoate, Ken Sio, Corey Norman, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah (c), Isaac De Gois, Fuifui Moimoi, Peni Terepo, Tepai Moeroa, David Gower. Interchange: Joseph Paulo, Junior Paulo, Pauli Pauli, Ben Smith

Ins: Peni Terepo. Outs: Kenny Edwards