Junior reps preview | Round 3
All four junior representative Sharks teams are again in action at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday after mixed fortunes last week.
The men's under-17 Harold Matthews and under-19 SG Ball sides both go into round-three clashes against the winless Raiders with 1-1 records having been unable to fully capitalise on their opportunities in losses to the Eels.
Meanwhile, the women's under-19 Tarsha Gale squad will look to remain undefeated when they take on Canberra, with the under-17 Lisa Fiaola players hoping to chalk up their first win of the year over the Central Coast Roosters.
Read on for previews of each game.
CLICK HERE for team lists and match details.
Harold Matthews Cup
While the Sharks are coming off a 34-20 loss to the Eels, coach Brad Kelly is taking confidence from the performance as they prepare to meet the Raiders.
Cronulla trailed 24-4 but fought back to reduce the margin to 24-20 after halftime, giving Kelly belief in their attacking prowess when they hold the ball.
"Part of learning at this age is to be able to maintain pressure, stick to game plans and all that sort of stuff ... All you can do is learn from it," he said.
They will face a Canberra outfit determined to break their duck after starting with a 28-20 defeat to the Knights before going down 38-10 to the Central Coast Roosters.
SG Ball Cup
It was a patchy showing from the under-19 Sharks boys in round two, ultimately falling to a 28-18 loss after leading Parramatta 18-10. Coach Dave Howlett saw merit in aspects of their play but now wants a complete display.
"We can definitely always improve. The boys are a work in progress," he said.
"We know what we're capable of ... We just need to work hard and make sure we can translate it into a 70-minute performance."
They'll aim to produce exactly that against the Raiders, who are entering the fixture off the back of lopsided defeats to the Knights and the Steelers.
Sharks halfback Riley Pollard is out after a head knock, with Bryce Sait moving into the No.7 jersey and Ashton Simmonds being promoted to starting five-eighth.
Lisa Fiaola Cup
The youngest Sharks girls haven't been far away in their first two matches - losing by a combined 10 points - and coach Robbie Taylor has faith in his charges.
They will line up against the Central Coast Roosters without key playmaker Emily Teplicanec (head knock). Brooklyn Allan Kingi is set to shift from lock to five-eighth to allow Tameika Dorahy to steer the ship at halfback.
"We've got plenty of depth and we've got players pushing to get a spot," Taylor said.
Cronulla defended stoutly against Parramatta and will need to be on their game to contain a Central Coast Roosters team that defeated Newcastle first up before being pipped 12-10 by the undefeated Steelers.
Tarsha Gale
It's been a dream start for the under-19 Sharks women, but coach Isaac Michael isn't getting ahead of himself as they steel themselves to tackle Canberra.
His side downed the Eels 22-6, with NRLW-contracted backrower Manilita Takapautolo continuing her hot form, but errors crept in during the second half.
"We can tidy that up always, but at the end of the day it's about continually turning up for each other," Michael said, pleased with the team's defensive grit.
"Sometimes the scoreboard can get to your head and that's just a good learning for them in not letting that be the case and trying to stick to your processes.
"Another big challenge for us (against Canberra). Really looking forward to it."
