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Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks Tips - Roosters to stay alive with NRL semi-final win

andrew-hendrie
Andrew Hendrie
Editor
Last updated: Wed 16 Sep 2026 17:18
The Sydney Roosters are favored to defeat the Cronulla Sharks in this NRL semi-final clash, with strong backing to cover a -7.5 point line. Despite mixed recent form, historical dominance—including winning both regular season meetings—gives the Roosters the edge. Cronulla’s attack looks stronger with Trindall’s return, but the Roosters’ consistency, ability to start fast, and key players returning tip the scales. Toia and Katoa are highlighted as top anytime tryscorer options. The key recommendation is to back the Roosters to win, cover the spread, and score first.
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Andrew Hendrie 16 Sep 2026
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  • Roosters expected to cover -7.5 line and score first try.
  • Sydney has dominated Cronulla in recent meetings.
  • Toia & Katoa are key anytime tryscorer picks.
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sydney roosters
Sydney Roosters to get the first try (Getty Images)


Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks Verdict


The Roosters can stay alive and progress from this semi-final, covering a -7.5 line in the process. The value lies in Sydney getting the first try en route to a third win over Cronulla this season.
  • Roosters have won both 2026 meetings between the teams
  • Roosters have covered a -7.5 line vs Sharks in both 2026 wins
  • Roosters have won three of their four finals games vs Sharks
  • Sharks have failed to cover a +7.5 line in eight of their 10 defeats this season
  • Roosters have scored the first try in nine of their last 11 games - only misses were when they fielded a reserve team vs Rabbitohs & last week vs Penrith
  • Roosters have scored the first try in their last 10 games when starting as the pre-match favourite
  • Robert Toia scored a try vs Sharks in R16 & has crossed in his last three games
  • Sione Katoa has scored seven tries in his last four games & has 1+ try in his last seven away games

Head To Head

The Roosters were 34-22 winners over the Sharks in Round 6 and then doubled down with a dominant 27-8 victory in Round 16.

The Roosters have won three of their four finals meetings with the Sharks, but it was Cronulla who emerged 20-10 winners in last season's elimination final.

Sydney Roosters Form

Not an ideal form line for the Roosters heading into sudden-death footy.

Trent Robinson's side have lost four games on the bounce, but it's not a big cause for concern in my eyes.

Obviously the 25-24 defeat to the Tigers was shocking, while the 26-12 loss to the in-form Dolphins wasn't their best performance. 

But the Chooks fielded a second-string side in the final round of the regular season against Souths and then stepped up in an impressive showing in last week's qualifying final against minor premiers Penrith.

It was easily the highest qualify game of the weekend, with the Panthers only pulling away in the final 10 minutes with a Nathan Cleary field goal and Brian To'o try. 

James Tedesco was immense with seven tackle breaks, one try assist, three line break assists and 156 metres off 20 runs.

Cronulla Sharks Form

The Sharks also entered the finals with poor form, losing four of their last five games - all to teams in the bottom half of the table.

Cronulla looked lost in attack without Braydon Trindall, but they got their star five-eighth back for their finals opener last week.

Trindall's inclusion provided the spark needed for Cronulla to get back to winning ways, even if he was clearly playing busted.

Siosifa Talakai was arguably the best on ground, coming off the bench with a destructive performance that included scoring Cronulla's first try and registering seven tackles breaks, along with 74 post-contact metres.

Roosters vs Sharks Team News

Angus Crichton returns for the Roosters from a foot injury, while Salesi Foketi starts in place of Egan Butcher, who is out with concussion.

Trindall will again start in the halves for the Sharks as he continues to nurse that injured shoulder.

Just the one change from Craig Fitzgibbon, with Jayden Berrell joining the bench in place of Niwhai Puru, who drops to the reserves.

Verdict

The Roosters are tipped to score the first try & cover a -7.5 line, with Toia & Katoa the anytime tryscorer props.

Best Bet1: Roosters -7.5 Line @9/10 at bet365 - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Roosters Team To Score First Try @11/17 at dabble - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Sione Katoa Anytime Tryscorer @23/20 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Robert Toia Anytime Tryscorer @7/5 at Hollywoodbets - 1 Unit
Roosters -7.5
Line
@9/10 - 3 Units
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Roosters
Team To Score First Try
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Bet at dabble
Sione Katoa
Anytime Tryscorer
@23/20 - 1 Unit
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Bet at Star Sports
Robert Toia
Anytime Tryscorer
@7/5 - 1 Unit
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andrew-hendrie
Andrew Hendrie

Sports Editor • 20+ years betting experience

Andrew has been writing about sports for over a decade now after graduating with a double degree in 2013. In that time he has covered a wide range of sports, including NRL, AFL, Football (soccer), Tennis, NBA, NFL and more.


As a fan of Manchester City (since the 90s, he’s not a bandwagoner so they say), Canterbury Bulldogs and the Newcastle Jets, he’s experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows throughout the last few years.

You can find Andy at Muckrack and X.

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