LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
The Roosters enter the finals in excellent form, having clinched five wins from their last six matches, which propelled them from 10th to 8th place. Meanwhile, the Sharks come off a dominating win against the Bulldogs.
With James Tedesco showcasing peak performance in his notable career and Mark Nawaqanitawase finding the try line frequently, the Roosters have amassed a total of 202 points over their last six matches. They head to Sharks Stadium filled with confidence.
The Sharks have secured seven victories in their last eight games after their Round 18 bye and made a strong impression with a 24-6 win over the Bulldogs, thanks to solid contributions from their middle players Addin Fonua-Blake, Toby Rudolf, and Tom Hazelton.
In a significant boost for the Sharks, star playmaker Nicho Hynes has been cleared to play after the Match Review Committee reduced his Dangerous Contact charge from a Grade 2 to a Grade 1, resulting in just a fine instead of a possible suspension.
Hynes will face off against Roosters No. 7 Sam Walker, who has tallied 15 try assists, nine tackle breaks, and 38 goals since returning from an ACL injury in Round 19.
The last encounter between the two teams was in Round 20 at Sharks Stadium, where Craig Fitzgibbon's Sharks were victorious, with 10 players exceeding 100 metres in a 31-18 win.