Live: Knights, Sharks trade early tries in frenetic battle for fourth spot

Fourth position on the NRL ladder goes on the line as Cronulla-Sutherland welcomes Newcastle to Shark Park, with the hosts looking to build on last week's mauling of the Dolphins.Later, the Melbourne Storm will be without some big names as they travel north to face the Sydney Roosters.Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:13pmFri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:13pmSharks vs Knights live scoreFri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:34pmFri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:34pm27' Katoa forces his way through!All a little too easy there for the Sharks and Sione Katoa.The winger is found back on the inside and about 10m from the line.The Newcastle defence splits invitingly and Katoa charges through.It's a simple try for the Sharks, who retake the lead.Nicho Hynes nails another conversion.Sharks 12Knights 8Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:29pmFri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:29pm24' Fonua-Blake off with injurySharks forward Addin Fonua-Blake has trudged down the tunnel.We're not sure exactly what the injury is, but it's not a good sight for the Cronulla faithful.Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:27pmFri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:27pm20' Newcastle retakes the lead! Great play from BestGreat play from the Knights.It's Will Kennedy who loses the ball for the Sharks and the Knights are able to make the most of the turnover.Kalyn Ponga sprays a pass out to Bradman Best, who is very clever in just helping the ball on its way out to Greg Marzhew.The winger flies forward for his side's second try of the day.Ponga hits the post with his conversion attempt.Knights 8Sharks 6Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:18pmFri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:18pm15' Sharks respond after high kick!Braydon Trindall lobs up a high kick back across his body.Ronaldo Mulitalo rises and bats one back, and Will Kennedy is on hand to pick up the loose ball and slide over.There's a slight delay as the bunker combs through the footage - the suspicion being that Mulitalo knocked the ball on.But the try is confirmed sooner rather than later.An easy conversion is nailed by Nicho Hynes.Sharks 6Knights 4Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:10pmFri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:10pm8' Ponga slides over! Knights in front!Newcastle makes the most of its early domination and have a deserved lead.The Knights earn a set restart mere metres from the line, and work the ball to the right, where Kalyn Ponga is lurking, and then finding his way through a couple challenges.He slides over for the first try of the day.All a bit too easy there for the visitors.The conversion is missed.Knights 4Sharks 0Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:07pmFri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:07pm5' Knights enjoying the best of the early exchangesThe Knights have started this game the stronger, enjoying much of the territory in the opening minutes.Newcastle bombs a high kick towards the line, but it's a very assured catch by Sione Katoa.Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:03pmFri 17 Jul 2026 at 6:03pmWe're underway at Shark ParkThe Sharks, wearing a snappy dark blue and pink number, kick us off.Newcastle completes a solid first set, crossing well over half way.The skies have cleared after a day of rain in Sydney, but it's pretty slippery out there.Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 5:50pmFri 17 Jul 2026 at 5:50pmWhat time do tonight's NRL games kick-off?Tonight's double header begins with Cronulla-Sutherland vs Newcastle at Shark Park. Here's when the game kicks off across the country and the region.6:00pm AEST: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, PNG5:30pm ACST: South Australia, Northern Territory4:00pm AWST: Western Australia8:00pm NZST: New Zealand, Fiji9:00pm: Tonga, SamoaAnd these are the times for Roosters-Storm clash.8:00pm AEST: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, PNG7:30pm ACST: South Australia, Northern Territory6:00pm AWST: Western Australia10:00pm NZST: New Zealand, Fiji11:00pm: Tonga, SamoaFri 17 Jul 2026 at 5:45pmFri 17 Jul 2026 at 5:45pmWhat happened last night?ICYMI, it was a monumental win for the desperate Brisbane Broncos, who kept their finals hopes alive with a surprise victory over the ladder-leading Penrith Broncos.And it was quite a night for superstar fullback Reece Walsh.Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 5:40pmFri 17 Jul 2026 at 5:40pmHynes looking to backup record-breaking performance(Getty Images)With AAPNicho Hynes was absolutely electric in Cronulla-Sutherland's remarkable 66-0 mauling of the Dolphins last week.The halfback contributed 30 points, setting a new record for the Sharks, while also laying on three tries.Coach Craig Fitzgibbon says Hynes is as comfortable as ever next to in-form halves partner Braydon Trindall."Most halves are under more pressure than the rest of the team because they're tasked with the delivery of getting a team over the line," Fitzgibbon said."If your team's close and you don't tend to win, they tend to be under more pressure than anyone else, and none more so than Nicho."Fitzgibbon has seen growth in Hynes over his five seasons as coach."(Hynes) handles it a lot better nowadays," Fitzgibbon said."He's a pretty strong-minded guy and is playing some good footy. We're really comfortable with the way him and 'Tricky' (Trindall) are developing together."But he wasn't expecting Hynes to reach quite the heights he did against the Dolphins."It's a rare day, not everything goes your way like that usually," he said.Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 5:37pmFri 17 Jul 2026 at 5:37pmHow the NRL ladder looks heading into the weekendA spot in the league's top four goes on the line tonight, with the victors at Shark Park moving within four competition points of the ladder-leading Panthers, who suffered a surprise loss to Brisbane last night.Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 5:31pmFri 17 Jul 2026 at 5:31pmSharks hit with late out but welcome back Origin star(NRL.com)SharksJesse Ramien is a late out for the Sharks, with the centre coming down with illness on game day. That comes after Siosifa Talakai was ruled out with an elbow injury on Thursday. Mawene Hiroti comes into the centres, while Sam Stonestreet and Jayden Berrell join the bench.In good news for Cronulla, Briton Nikora returns to the team after a post-Origin rest, while Addin Fonua-Blake is back in the starting XIII.KnightsNo late changes for the Knights, with winger Greg Marzhew named despite an injury scare last weekend.Blues star Bradman Best returns with Fletcher Sharpe moving to five-eighth.Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 5:22pmFri 17 Jul 2026 at 5:22pmWelcomeHello and welcome back to ABC Sport's online coverage of the 2026 NRL season.Tonight, we will be treated to two massive games, with the Sharks and Knights locking horns in the Shire, before the Storm travel north to face the Roosters.My name's Henry and I'll be here to guide you through all the action.Well, what are we waiting for?Let's get into it!