Martin Taupau v Paul Gallen
Coach Jason Taylor receives a massive boost this week with both Martin Taupau and Chris Lawrence available for selection. Taupau returns from a three-match suspension and will be aiming to keep his perfect record against Cronulla alive with already three wins from as many games. With a full strength team available, expect the Kiwi International to provide plenty of impact in his comeback match.
Paul Gallen hasn’t won a match against Wests Tigers since 2008, and his overall record reads at three wins from 17 games. The New South Wales captain has been in great form recently with a 235 metre effort against the Cowboys in Round 22 followed by a 247-metre match last week against Melbourne.
Much like his record against the Sharks, Taupau holds a 2-0 advantage over Gallen on an NRL level. Expect an explosive encounter between these two enforcers tomorrow afternoon at Remondis Stadium.
Career Head-to-Head clashes: Played 2 – Taupau 2, Gallen 0 (NRL matches only)
NRL Fantasy Prices: Taupau $394,000 (Season: +$100,000; Average: 49.1), Gallen $503,000 (Season: +$7,000; Average: 61.9)
James Tedesco v Michael Gordon
It has been a stellar season for James Tedesco in 2015, with the evasive fullback managing to play every game this year (one of just three Wests Tigers). As a result, the Camden Rams junior will reach his 50th NRL match this week. Tedesco has averaged an amazing 154 metres per game this year, with four of those matches over the 200-metre mark.
Michael Gordon is another Cronulla player who has excelled over the past fortnight with 221 metres against Melbourne and 240 metres in their previous match against North Queensland. Parramatta-bound next year, look out for a strong finish to the year for the veteran fullback as the Sharks look to secure a place as high as possible in the top eight.
The battle of the fullbacks could prove crucial in what is a vital game for the Sharks leading into the finals. Tedesco and Gordon have met just once previously, with the Sharks running out winners 30-6 in Round 9 of the 2013 season.
Career Head-to-Head clashes: Played 1 – Tedesco 0, Gordon 1
NRL Fantasy Prices: Tedesco $469,000 (Season: +$127,000; Average: 54.3), Gordon $275,000 (Season: -$82,000; Average: 33.2)
Robbie Farah v Michael Ennis
Robbie Farah holds a formidable record against the Cronulla Sharks with thirteen wins from sixteen clashes. Averaging around the 65-minute mark since his return from injury three weeks ago, look out for Farah’s game time to increase in the remaining weeks of the season.
On the other hand, Michael Ennis' has a 10-5 record over Farah from his previous stints at Newcastle, St George Illawarra, Brisbane and Canterbury - however this is first match for Cronulla against Wests Tigers. The 31-year-old has missed just the one match for the Sharks this season and is averaging 36 tackles per match.
Farah and Ennis have a long history and their rivalry is one of the best in the NRL. With close to 500 NRL matches between the pair, the experience and leadership that they offer their respective teams will be a telling factor in this game.
Career Head-to-Head clashes: Played 15 – Farah 5, Ennis 10
NRL Fantasy Prices: Farah $383,000 (Season: -$205,000; Average: 52.5), Ennis $361,000 (Season: -$12,000; Average: 44.4)
