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Match Preview

Bulldogs v Sharks: Burns ready to wing it; Same 17 for Fitzy

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pan66.com
Timestamp

The Bulldogs will be desperate for a change of fortunes when they host the Sharks at Accor Stadium on Saturday.

Coming off heavy back-to-back losses and with injuries hitting hard, the Bulldogs will have their depth tested as well as their resolve when they face an enigmatic Cronulla side still searching for back-to-back wins.

With Jacob Kiraz's MCL injury and Viliame Kikau's training mishap the latest blows to hit the Bulldogs they'll need co-captains Reed Mahoney and Matt Burton and forward leader Tevita Pangai jnr to stand tall if they are to return to the winners' list.

The Sharks are 3-3 on the season after beating the Roosters for the first time in seven clashes on Friday and now look to build momentum on the back of playmaker Nicho Hynes, who has racked up five try assists and seven line break assists in his three appearances this year.

Team News 

Bulldogs: The Bulldogs are 1-17 with no changes on game day. Centre Jake Averillo (knee) and bench forward Andrew Davey (finger) will both play. A knee injury to winger Jacob Kiraz sees Declan Casey come into the side while Braidon Burns returns from an ankle injury on the other wing. Jayden Okunbor shifts from the wing back to the bench. Rookie playmaker Karl Oloapu, Sam Hughes and Reece Hoffman all dropped out on Friday. Jeral Skelton is 18th Man.

Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon has stuck with the same squad that got the job done against the Roosters. Skipper Dale Finucane has two more games to serve on his suspension and will return for Magic Round in Brisbane. Braydon Trindall is 18th Man.

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

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Jeral Skelton
    Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Braydon Trindall

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Bulldogs have won four of their past six games at Accor Stadium.
  • The Sharks have won nine of their past 11 games against the Bulldogs.
  • The Bulldogs have conceded 80 points in their past two games.
  • Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored seven tries in his past five games.
  • The Bulldogs are missing seven players from the team that kicked off the season in Round 1.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.