Match Preview: Round 11 v Bulldogs

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Thu 14 May 2026, 05:58 PM

A Sharks side missing both co-captains but welcoming the return of two back-line stars, face off with the Bulldogs in the first game of the NRL’s Magic Round.

In a game kicking off at 6.00pm at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, inspirational winger Ronaldo Mulitalo makes his long-awaited return after recovering from a ruptured ACL, while Jesse Ramian is back on deck in his first appearance since suffering a medial ligament strain in a match against the Warriors in round five.

However, while both are positive additions to the Sharks line up, Blayke Brailey’s streak of 139 consecutive NRL games will come to an end, a run which began back in round 21 of the 2020 season, with the hooker forced to miss the match due to concussion protocols.

Brailey came from the field late in the second half of the Sharks match against the Rabbitohs last Saturday night and after failing his head injury assessment will sit out the game as a result of the mandatory 11-day standdown.

Joining him on the sideline will be his co-captain Cameron McInnes, who has been ruled out with an ankle issue.

Both Brailey and McInnes will likely be available for the Sharks following match, against the Sea Eagles in round 13.

Prop Addin Fonua-Blake will assume captaincy duties.

But as Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon expressed at his weekly media call, the loss of Brailey opens up an opportunity for capable dummy half Jayden Berrell to play his fourth game in the NRL.

A standout performer at NSW Cup level, and a popular member of the Sharks NRL squad, Fitzgibbon is confident Berrell can do a job for the team tomorrow night.

“He’s such a great competitor,” Fitzgibbon said. “Unfortunately for Jayden, Blayke has had that run of games. But we’re really excited for him to get a game now.

“He embodies what it is be a footy player. He’s always, positive, always upbeat, and Blayke is very happy to see Bez get an opportunity as well.”

The Sharks, sitting 10th, come into the contest on the back of the 36-12 loss to South Sydney, while all nine of their games in 2026, win or lose, have been decided by 12 points or more.

In relation to the Bulldogs, they are currently 13th on eight competition points, two behind the Sharks following three wins from their nine matches played.

In the head-to-head statistics, in the 103 games played between the two teams dating back to 1967, the Sharks have won 43, the Bulldogs 58, with two matches drawn.

The Sharks did manage to brake a two game losing streak against the Bulldogs in their round 27 match up last year, winning 24-6 at Homebush.

These team have only met once outside of NSW, that game was played in 2021 at Robina on the Gold Coast during the Covid-19 affected season, with the Sharks coming out on top by 44-24.

As for the Sharks record at Suncorp Stadium, in 32 appearances they have won 11 and lost 21, however despite a poor overall record at the venue, the Cronulla side have won three of their past four games.

Similarly, the Bulldogs have struggled in Brisbane, with just 13 wins from 38 matches played at Suncorp. Since 2016 Canterbury are just two from 18 at the venue.

In player milestones, Fonua-Blake is looking for his 100th NRL win, with this week’s skipper having won 10 of his 15 games against the Bulldogs, while Nicho Hynes needs eight points to reach 1000 NRL points in his career. If he manages to do so, he will become the 61st player in NRL history to reach 1,000 points.

For the Sharks, Hynes is the fourth highest points scorer (828) in club history, with Steve Rogers (1253), Mat Rogers (1112) and Luke Covell (948) ahead of him.

Stephen Crichton will play his 150th NRL game on Friday night and his 50th for Canterbury, following on from 100 games for Penrith, with Matt Burton also achieving the individual milestone of 100 Bulldogs games.

The Sharks v Bulldogs game will be the first of a Friday night double header at Suncorp as a part of the Magic Round weekend, with the Rabbitohs and Dolphins match to follow at 8pm.

See following the two 24-hour team lists. For the Sharks, Niwhai Puru has been omitted from the 22-man squad as named on Tuesday.

Round 11 - Round 11 - Friday 15 May

8:00 am

Sharks

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel Stonestreet

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jonathan Sua
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari Tuala
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

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

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden Berrell

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Sitili Tupouniua
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse Colquhoun

Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy Burns

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Alekolasimi Jones
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jethro Rinakama
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Mawene Hiroti

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Lipoi Hopoi
Interchange for Sharks is number 20 Braden Uele

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 25 Jack Underhill