After getting the job done against an undermanned Panthers outfit last week the Bulldogs will be out to crank it up a gear when they host fellow title contender the Sharks on Saturday night.
The Bulldogs are locked into third spot and a trip to Melbourne in week one of the finals but the Sharks can finish as high as fourth and as low as sixth depending on other results.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has decided against resting players ahead of the finals, with winger Jacob Kiraz the only absentee due to an ankle injury.
When these sides clashed at Sharks Stadium back in Round 4 it was the Bulldogs saluting 20-8 on the back of a Bronson Xerri double and a rollicking performance in the middle from Max King as he served notice he was ready for a Blues Origin call-up.
Match: Bulldogs v Sharks
Round 27 -
home Team
Bulldogs
3rd Position
away Team
Sharks
5th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Bulldogs: With Jacob Kiraz (ankle) sidelined, Enari Tuala gets the nod on the wing. Viliame Kikau (infection) is back on deck so Josh Curran reverts to the bench and Daniel Suluka-Fifita drops out.
Sharks: Centre Jesse Ramien returns after two games out with a thumb injury so Mawene Hiroti makes way. Five-eighth Braydon Trindall has been named to play despite leaving the field last Sunday with an ankle injury. Forward Oregon Kaufusi is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a calf injury.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor TraceyFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Enari TualaWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
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Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan GalvinHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey HaywardHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel HughesProp for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
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Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman SalmonLock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse Colquhoun
Interchange
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Hohepa Puru
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili TupouniuaInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Josh CurranInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Thomas Hazelton
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Reed MahoneyInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
Reserves
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Replacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Jake TurpinReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Daniel Atkinson
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Daniel Suluka-FifitaReserve for Sharks is number 19 Mawene Hiroti
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Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Kurtis MorrinReserve for Sharks is number 20 Jayden Berrell
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Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Jethro RinakamaReserve for Sharks is number 21 Oregon Kaufusi
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Toby SextonReserve for Sharks is number 22 Tuku Hau Tapuha
Bulldogs Ins
- Jake Turpin
- Jethro Rinakama
- Kurtis Morrin
- Toby Sexton
- Viliame Kikau
Sharks Ins
- Daniel Atkinson
- Jesse Ramien
- Oregon Kaufusi
- Tuku Hau Tapuha
Bulldogs Outs
- Jacob Kiraz
Sharks Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have won eight from 10 at Accor Stadium this season.
- The Sharks have scored 94 points in their last two games.
- The Bulldogs have won only two of their past eight games against the Sharks.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored eight tries in his last five games.
- The Bulldogs have won five and lost five against top-eight opposition this season.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
