Brisbane Broncos vs Cronulla Sutherland Sharks: Predictions, Tips & Head to Head

Brisbane bounced back to form prior to last week’s bye and will look to keep the momentum going against a Cronulla side that has looked more than a little wobbly of late.

The Broncos were well and truly on the ropes after losing six from seven, but Reece Walsh’s return from injury helped spark a decisive, freewheeling 44-14 victory over the lowly Titans.

While their attack clicked impressively, conceding their least points since Round 4 was an equally important step forward.

After consecutive heavy defeats to the Roosters (42-16) and Warriors (40-10), the fifth-placed Sharks produced a timely 30-18 win over the erratic Dragons last Thursday. But it was far from convincing, trailing 18-6 at halftime before waking from their two-and-a-half-game slumber.

Blayke Brailey and Addin Fonua-Blake were standouts against the Saints, while Braydon Trindall and Sione Katoa both bagged doubles.

The Broncos’ Origin duo Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas have been named to play, while Jack Gosiewski is back from a broken arm. The Sharks’ only change sees Siosifa Talakai move to centre for the injured Mawene Hiroti, with Daniel Atkinson coming onto the interchange.

The Sharks have won three of their last four against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, including a 22-12 mid-season result in 2024.

Despite last-start wins, it’s too early to say whether either side is back on track after some disastrous recent losses. The Broncos are $1.50 favourites at home but this has more of a coin-flip feel, particularly with Haas and Carrigan inevitably bearing a heavy Origin load.

Tip: Back Either Team to Win by Less Than 10.5 Points @ $1.98

SGM: BRONCOS WIN / OVER 48 TOTAL POINTS / REECE WALSH ANYTIME TRYSCORER / SIONE KATOA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / KOTONI STAGGS ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $16.74

Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Selwyn Cobbo 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Deine Mariner 22. Blake Mozer 23. Ben Talty

Broncos team news: Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas have both been named to back up from Origin duties, while young prop Ben Te Kura (ankle) is set to miss the next six weeks. Still no sign of Ben Hunt (hamstring) as he recovers from injury, while the out-of-favour Selwyn Cobbo has been listed among the reserves.

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Burns 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Chris Veaila

Sharks team news: Mawene Hiroti (calf) will miss at least a month, with Siosifa Talakai coming into the centres and Daniel Atkinson on the bench.