Cronulla Sharks v Newcastle Knights women’s nines match to feature top talent in both teams

OF all the women’s nines exhibition matches to be played this season, the Sharks v Knights fixture on tonight should be an absolute cracker.

OF all the women’s nines exhibition matches to be played this season, the Sharks v Knights fixture on tonight should be an absolute cracker.

Both sides boast state and Jillaroos level talent, and though the Cronulla side have two games under belt as a slight advantage, the Hunter based team are planning to play it hard through the middle and use their speedy backs to test them on the edges.

Knights captain Rebecca Young said they consider it an advantage that they haven’t played any games together yet.

“We’ve got Caitlin Moran, Simone Smith, Isabelle Kelly; our match up is going to be good versus the Sharks,” Young said.

This will be the Sharks’ third match this season. Picture: Brett Costello

“We’re untested. They’re not too sure about us but we’ve seen them play so we kind of have the edge on that. We know how they play. We’ve been doing some video review with the Knights.

“As far as expectations, a great game of footy. Just that back and forth, fast paced, we have some speed out wide definitely.

“We’re looking to really capitalise on moving through the middle and then exposing the edges with the likes of Caitlin and Izzy there.”

The Sharks have won both matches they’ve played in 2017. Defeating the Raiders in Canberra in Round 2 then the Dragons at home in Round 3.

Cronulla player Maddie Studdon said they have been improving with each game and the program they are following — the same as the Jillaroos — is improving their fitness and conditioning.

The Sharks team have been following the Jillaroos’ training program.

“[The game] we played Illawarra and won 20-4, that was a lot of improvement in our game,” Studdon said.

“It’s going good. The Sharks nines are kicking off and Newcastle will be our hardest game. They have four Australian girls in there.

“We’re doing the same program that the Jillaroos have given us so we’re not overdoing ourselves.

“It’s good because nines keeps us fit but 13s is a completely different game and is pretty rough. It does help us with fitness and vision for the game, but there’s a lot of difference.”

The Sharks v Knights nines match will be played after the NRL match finishes this evening at Southern Cross Group Stadium, approximately 5.15pm.

Originally published as Cronulla Sharks v Newcastle Knights women’s nines match to feature top talent in both teams