Monday last NRL Round 1 match is between Cronulla Sharks and Gold Coast Titans with the opening kick to commence at 7pm (AEDT). The game is to be played at Remondis Stadium which see’s home team Cronulla Sharks hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Cronulla Sharks and Gold Coast Titans.
WHERE AND WHEN: Remondis Stadium, Monday March 10, 7pm (AEDT)
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Odds Comparison:
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| Cronulla Sharks | 1.70 | 1.65 | 1.67 | 1.65 | 1.70 | 1.65 |
| Gold Coast Titans | 2.20 | 2.27 | 2.25 | 2.27 | 2.20 | 2.25 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Preview:
The final match of the opening round sees the Sharks host the Titans.
Despite being dogged by off-field drama last season, as they have been again in recent months with the suspension of Coach Shane Flanagan, the Sharks produced a solid year in 2013, winning fourteen of their games and finishing in fifth spot on the ladder.
The team announced for the opening round is a solid one for the Sharks – if all players do make the field.
Injury clouds over five-eighth Todd Carney and lock-forward Wade Graham are a concern, especially with regular half-back Jeff Robson already missing due to injury. If Carney misses this game, the Sharks will have to put together a new and inexperienced halves combination.
The Titans toughed out last season well against a long injury list. The just missed out on making the finals and finished in ninth spot on the ladder with eleven wins from their twenty-four matches.
This is the seventh year in the competition for the Titans in which time, they’ve only made the finals twice (2009, 2010) and will be desperate to improve their finals record this season.
Beside Jamal Idris’ move to Penrith, the Titans remain largely the same squad as that of 2013.
With four representatives in their impressive forward pack, it is this area where the Titans will have to assert their authority if they are to win more games.
The Sharks have won three of the last four against the Titans at home including sneaking home by two points in this game last year.
Expect this game to be closer than the current market suggests and for the market to tighten considerably if Carney is omitted. The value in this match may be with the Titans
Teams:
Cronulla Sharks:
Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Blake Ayshford, Jonathan Wright, Beau Ryan, Todd Carney, Daniel Holdsworth, Andrew Fifita, John Morris, Bryce Gibbs, Matt Prior, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen (c)
Interchange: Isaac De Gois, Sam Tagataese, Tupou Sopoaga, Siosaia Vave, Tinirau Arona (one to be omitted)
Gold Coast Titans:
William Zillman, Kevin Gordon, Brad Tighe, Maurice Blair, David Mead, Aidan Sezer, Albert Kelly, Luke Douglas, Beau Falloon, Nate Myles (c), Greg Bird (c), David Taylor, Ashley Harrison
Interchange: Matthew White, Luke Bailey, Mark Minichiello, Paul Carter, Ryan James, Brad Takairangi, Ben Ridge (three to be omitted)
News:
Cronulla chief executive Steve Noyce says the club is pondering its next move after the NRL rejected an appeal against the $1 million fine issued in December.
NRL boss Dave Smith and chief operating officer Jim Doyle also announced on Wednesday the 12-month ban imposed on Sharks coach Shane Flanagan would stand as would the cancellation of former strength and conditioning coach Trent Elkin’s registration.
All of the penalties relate to Cronulla’s supplements program during the 2011 season when the squad was allegedly exposed to an 11-week regime of injections, creams and tablets.
The three parties now have five business days to request a further review by the NRL Appeals Committee, headed by former High Court judge Ian Callinan and made up of former Penrith hooker Luke Priddis and ex-NSW Minister for Sport Mike Cleary.
Smith informed Sharks chairman Damian Keogh of his decision to uphold the penalties before calling a snap media conference at Rugby League Central.
Club officials are due to meet as soon as possible to work out their next move and Noyce said he thought the argument they put forward to the NRL was a good one.
“Naturally we’re disappointed, we were asked to respond to a breach notice and we went about it in a well thought out, thorough and professional manner,” Noyce told AAP.
“We will get the official correspondence from the NRL and review and digest the information and see how we proceed.”
Cronulla will begin their season on Monday against the Gold Coast with Peter Sharp in charge of the team.
Flanagan was unavailable for comment as was his legal representative Stuart Littlemore QC, but his future will be top of the agenda when the board meet.
Flanagan is still being paid by the Sharks and could potentially return to coach the team this season if he meets criteria laid down by the NRL which would see his ban reduced to nine months – meaning a potential return in August.
Smith said for that to happen, Flanagan must properly observe his suspension and complete an intensive education and training course that focused on his responsibilities as a coach.
He’ll then need to demonstrate to the NRL that he understands his duties and obligations under the code’s rules.
Smith has also ordered the Sharks to enforce new governance measures and warned if they’re not completed by July 31 they run the risk of being excluded from the finals series.
He also reiterated that Flanagan is to have no direct involvement with the club, players or sponsors during his suspension.
However, he said the code had no way of preventing him from visiting Shark Park like he did last month to watch his son play before staying to watch the NRL side’s trial match with the Wests Tigers.
“If we find there is a situation where Shane or anyone else goes outside those rules, then Shane risks the ability to come back within nine months,” Smith said.
“The intention here is not to stop Shane watching his son play football and our rules do not allow us to stop him attending Shark Park.
“What’s clear is that we want no direct or indirect involvement with the club.”
Smith said the NRL would work out a payment plan with the cash-strapped Sharks to pay the fine – $400,000 of which is suspended.
But he said that would be under threat if they discover any involvement with Flanagan while he’s banned.
“We will now work with Cronulla to sensibly think about a payment schedule and how we take things forward,” he said.
“The $400,000 would be part and parcel of Cronulla continuing to meet the conditions we have sent out.
“We want the compliance regime to continue on its improvement but that is at risk if we find the suspension isn’t being treated accordingly.”