Sharks wary of the wounded Dogs

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Fri 21 Apr 2023, 05:28 PM

The Sharks are refusing to be lulled into any false sense of security ahead of their Anzac Round clash with a Bulldogs team battling a mounting mid-season injury toll.

Many have written off the Bulldogs chances considering those sidelined for Saturday’s game, however coach Craig Fitzgibbon and the Sharks playing group are focused on the job facing them at Accor Stadium and certainly won’t be taking their opponents lightly.

“We understand they will be a spirited and committed opponent,” Fitzgibbon said. “They’re playing with a lot of grit and determination, we’ve got to be ready for that and we want to bring the best version of ourselves.

“While they might have a number of players out, there is a number of good players in there. Every game in the NRL is difficult and we always respect our opponent no matter where they sit on the ladder,” he added.

Young backrower Teig Wilton and try scoring winger Ronaldo Mulitalo expressed similar sentiments when quizzed about the Bulldogs and Saturday’s game.

“Whoever puts the jersey on for them, they’re playing with a lot of spirit. They’ll come out of the gates, and we’ll have to be ready for them. Our defence will need to be on,” Wilton said.

“Whatever troops they throw out there, they’ll come out with a spirit to perform. They are a club that’s building really nicely,” Mulitalo agreed.

While the Bulldogs leaked points late in a last start loss to the Eels, the Sharks scored arguably their best win of the 2023 season, a 22-12 victory over the Roosters.

Trailing at half time, a Nicho Hynes masterclass after the break steered the Sharks to a crucial win, with the Cronulla side now intent on building on that performance with a similar effort this weekend.

“I haven’t beaten them before in my career, so it’s been five years of pain but I finally got one. It was a good performance, but we’ve got to build on that. It was good to build some confidence, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do,” Mulitalo expressed.

In contrast to their opponents, the Sharks have been able to name an unchanged line up for this week’s game.

Wade Graham returned from suspension in the victory over the Roosters, as did forward Oregon Kaufusi who had missed his team’s previous game against the Warriors, leaving just Dale Finucane (suspension) and Toby Rudolf (toe/foot) from the Sharks senior playing group unavailable for the Bulldogs match.

In the 97 matches played between the two clubs, the Bulldogs hold the advantage, having won 56 games, the Sharks 39, with two draws.

In more recently times, the Sharks have held the upper hand, having won the past three, and nine of 11 games, while they are aiming for a fourth straight win against the Bulldogs for just the second time in Club history.

At the Olympic Stadium at Homebush however the Bulldogs have enjoyed a measure of success, with victories in three of the past five games the most recent in 2019 when they claimed a 14-12 win, while the Sharks have won just one of their past five. Their last visit to Accor was in round one of the 2020 season where they were beaten 22-18 by Souths.

And while the Sharks come into the match following a round seven win, last week the Bulldogs suffered a 30-4 defeat to the Eels and now find themselves in 15th position on the NRL ladder with three wins and four losses so far this season.

After the 22-12 triumph against the Roosters, Cronulla will be looking to win a second straight game for the first time this season, after alternating losses and wins over the opening five rounds of the season.

The Sharks have scored the first try in the past four games, three of these coming inside the opening eight minutes, while the win last Friday night was the first time in 24 games the Sharks have won a game when trailing at halftime.

In player and coaching stats and milestones, Mulitalo has scored seven tries in his past five games, backrower Briton Nikora 10 tries in his last 11 games and as many will `be aware, Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo was a Sharks junior, beginning his NRL career at Cronulla. Ciraldo played 19 NRL games from 2005-2007.

The Sharks v Bulldogs match is scheduled for a 5.30pm kick-off at Accor Stadium, with the Cronulla side to wear a specially designed jersey on Anzac Round. The two 19-man teams, along with details as to the Sharks Anzac Jersey design, are listed below.

2023 Sharks Anzac Jersey
The Cronulla Sharks 2023 Commemorative Anzac Round Jersey pays tribute to the generations of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women who have defended our values and freedoms, in wars, conflicts and peace operations for over 100 years. The jersey portrays soldiers in the field of battle and the mateship showcased by servicemen and woman along with the camouflage design embodying the attire worn in military service. The Australian and New Zealand flag proudly features on the back of the jersey and pays tribute to those ANZACs who served their countries past and present as well as the Anzac spirit. The hero image at the bottom of the jersey represents a moment of silence and reflection with a soldier paying their respects to those fallen who sacrificed their lives during service.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Saturday 22 Apr

Full Time

Bulldogs

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze Perham

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Declan Casey

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake Averillo

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul Alamoti

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Braidon Burns

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Kyle Flanagan

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Matt Burton

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Oregon Kaufusi
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Tevita Pangai Junior

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Josh Reynolds

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Wade Graham
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Jayden Okunbor

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Andrew Davey

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Ryan Sutton

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton