Dominant Sharks down the Dogs

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Fri 15 May 2026, 10:20 PM

The Sharks have bounced back to form in emphatic fashion, scoring a dominant 38-16 victory over the Bulldogs.

In a victory which was as much about saving tries as scoring them, the Cronulla side built on a 30-6 half time lead before doing enough in the second 40 minutes to secure a vital win in what was the opening match of the NRL's Magic Round.

Will Kennedy scored a try and had a hand in two more, but desperate defense also saw the Sharks full back save at least two with last ditch tackles, in a standout performance, while his backline teammates also contributed heavily to the win.

The Bulldogs kicked to Sam Stonestreet all night, who defused the vast majority of the attacking kicks, Kayal Iro and Jesse Ramien kept their opposite numbers relatively quiet all night, and Ronaldo Mulitalo made a triumphant return from eight months out of the game with two tries in a typically energetic performance.

The Sharks were on the board early, Kennedy contesting a bomb with Braden Trindall picking up the loose ball to score, then it was Mulitalo on the end of a backline shift crossing for his first of the night.

After Mulitalo was clipped high in touching down out wide, the subsequent penalty after the conversion miss made it 12-0 Sharks in the opening 10 minutes of the match.

A Kennedy try and the extra two from Nicho Hynes made it 18-0, before stand in hooker Hohepa Puru pushed through some poor defense to score from dummy half as the Sharks pushed the score out to 24-0.

A Bulldogs try to Jacob Preston bridged the gap somewhat in making the score 24-6, however when Hynes stepped through from 15-metres out, then converted his own try, the Sharks had a commanding lead at 30-6 at half time.

The Bulldogs did show some resolve after the break, Stephen Crighton scoring a long range try, but when Mulitalo jumped over the Bulldogs fullback to score a spectacular try in the 71st minute, his second on the night, it was game over with the Sharks securing their fifth win of the 2026 season.

While the outside backs did an outstanding job, in the absence of Blayke Brailey, Puru and Jayden Berrell both played strongly at hooker, as did Addin Fonua Blake, in his first game as captain who was ably assisted by a hard-working forward pack.

The Sharks now head into a bye week with a 5-and-5 record, with their next match against the Sea Eagles at home on Friday, May 29.

Round 11 - Round 11 - Friday 15 May

Full Time

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 18 Hohepa Puru

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 9 Jayden Berrell

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy Burns

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 25 Jack Underhill
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Reserves

Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Mawene Hiroti

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 17 Alekolasimi Jones
Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Braden Uele

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 19 Jethro Rinakama
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Lipoi Hopoi