NRL Match Preview: Round 27 v Bulldogs

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Fri 5 Sep 2025, 07:34 PM

The Sharks will experience an early taste of finals intensity when they face the third-placed Bulldogs at Accor Stadium to conclude the regular season on Saturday night.

24-hour squad: Trindall out, Atkinson in

While a top-four finish is no longer possible for Cronulla, Craig Fitzgibbon's men are guaranteed to host a playoff at Sharks Stadium next week and will want to continue their winning momentum in preparation for sudden-death football.

And with Canterbury opting against resting their star players – in fact, they'll welcome back second-rower Viliame Kikau from injury – the Sharks will embrace the opportunity to test themselves against one of the competition's top teams.

As announced in the 24-hour squad update, Cronulla five-eighth Braydon Trindall will be kept on ice after picking up a minor ankle injury in Sunday's win over the Knights. Daniel Atkinson will instead partner Nicho Hynes in the halves.

The Bulldogs prevailed 20-6 when the teams met in a fiery Round 4 encounter, however Sharks coach Fitzgibbon believes his team has grown considerably.

"It was a long time ago ... There's a strong rivalry there. They're a quality side –they've improved dramatically in the last couple of years," Fitzgibbon said.

"We know we're facing a strong opponent, so we'll have to be controlled in the way we go about that and not give them any leg-ups."

In a timely boost for the Sharks, centre Jesse Ramien is poised to return from a broken thumb and play his 150th game for the club, replacing Mawene Hiroti.

Cronulla will also be riding high off the news that acting captain Blayke Brailey has officially re-signed until the end of 2030.

Canterbury will miss winger Jacob Kiraz, who suffered a syndesmosis injury in last week's win over the Panthers. Enari Tuala has taken his place.

The Bulldogs are otherwise close to full strength, with the return of the destructive Kikau (infection) meaning Josh Curran will revert to the interchange.

Despite falling short in the past two head-to-head encounters, Cronulla boast a strong recent record against Canterbury with 12 wins in 16 matches.

Sione Katoa is gunning to extend his outstanding try-scoring record against the Bulldogs, having crossed the line nine times in seven appearances. He requires one four-pointer to equal Steve Rogers for the fourth-most tries in Sharks history.

Ronaldo Mulitalo also boasts an impressive strike-rate with six tries in eight games against Canterbury. Coming off a hat-trick, the finisher is in elite form.

A win for Cronulla will secure a commendable fifth-place finish, likely setting up an elimination finals clash with the Roosters or Dolphins next weekend. The Sharks could still come sixth if they lose to Canterbury (and the Warriors defeat the Sea Eagles), potentially pitting them against defending premiers the Panthers.

"All the other results are out of our control," Fitzgibbon said.

"The reality is we want to perform well at this stage of the year. Where we land is where we land – and it's still not over with where we land. We've got to perform strongly. We're facing a quality opponent, so we've been pretty focused on that."

Kick-off on Saturday is scheduled for 7.35pm. The Sharks will also host the Bulldogs in a curtain-raising NRLW match kicking off at 5.15pm.

CLICK HERE to secure tickets and see the updated squads below.

Round 27 - Round 27 - Saturday 6 Sep

9:35 am

Bulldogs

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Enari Tuala

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton

Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 18 Daniel Atkinson
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse Colquhoun

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Hohepa Puru
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Josh Curran

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Thomas Hazelton
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Reed Mahoney

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Jethro Rinakama

Replacement for Sharks is number 19 Mawene Hiroti
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Daniel Suluka-Fifita

Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Oregon Kaufusi