Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction, Odds & Best Bets

Two teams with a penchant for finals underachievement, the Roosters and Sharks square off in the post-season for the third time in four years.  

FORM: The Roosters are on a four-match losing streak, but their performance in a 19-12 loss to minor premier Penrith ranks among their best of the season – only falling behind in the last 10 minutes.  

The Sharks limped into the finals with four losses from their last five games, but they did enough to subdue the eighth-placed Cowboys 26-16 in a home elimination final.  

INS AND OUTS: A late withdrawal from the qualifying final, Angus Chrichton has been named to return again on the Roosters’ interchange. Salesi Foketi has been cleared of concussion and starts in the second-row in the place of Egan Butcher, who is ruled out with a head knock.  

The Sharks’ only change sees interchange hooker Jayden Berrell come onto the bench to replace Niwhai Peru.  

KEY MATCH-UP: Daly Cherry-Evans ultimately came up short in his first game in the No.7 since Sam Walker went down. His individual showdown with Nicho Hynes, who scored a crucial try last week but has a tendency to go missing in big games, will be vital here.   

HISTORY: The Roosters have won 11 of their last 15 against the Sharks, including wins in Perth (34-22) and at Allianz Stadium (27-8) this season.  

But the Sharks won the clubs’ elimination final last year 20-10. The Roosters won a 13-12 elimination final thriller in 2023.   

KEY STAT: Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored nine tries in 10 games against the Roosters. Opposing winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has crossed four times in five games against the Sharks.  

VERDICT: It would be dubious to declare Cronulla is back in form after last week’s elimination win over North Queensland, always looking relatively in control but struggling to put one of the less imposing eightH-placed teams of recent years to the sword despite enjoying 54 percent possession.   

Importantly, Braydon Trindall made a successful return – though more will be required of him and Hynes across 80 minutes to topple the Roosters. Addin Fonua-Blake provided positive signs ahead of an ominous middle-forward battle with a stacked Tricolours pack.  

After a recent decline, the Roosters showed immense backbone to recover from an early onslaught and hold at least a share of the lead for an hour of Sunday’s qualifying final against the Penrith machine.  

DCE and James Tedesco arguably fell short of expectations, but the overall character of the performance and the strike provided by the likes of Nawaqanitawase and Robert Toia will have the Sharks on high alert.    

The Sharks are certainly not without hope and they used momentum to eliminate minor premier Canberra at this stage last season.  

But their best football of 2026 seems a long way behind them still, while the Roosters hinted at another level last week that should carry them through to a prelim against the Dolphins.  

Tip: Back the Roosters to Win by 1-12 Points @ $2.80 

SGM: ROOSTERS -7.5 / UNDER 45.5 TOTAL POINTS / MARK NAWAQANITAWASE ANYTIME TRYSCORER / BRITON NIKORA ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $40.01