The Sharks scored an upset win across the ditch to spoil the party of the Warriors in front of a sold-out crowd last week, posting a gritty comeback that will no doubt please coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
The Bulldogs however were not able to match it with the Eels in front of another sold out crowd at CommBank Stadium, with their new recruits, including captain Stephen Crichton and halfback Drew Hutchinson, still needing some time together to gel.
Despite being scoreless at half-time to trail 14-0, the Bulldogs fought their way back to a 12-point deficit with 10 minutes to play to show some fight before succumbing to the 26-8 loss.
Cronulla - who have been questioned in the past about their ability to topple top-eight sides - found a way to overturn a 12-6 scoreline at the break, with second-half tries to Ronaldo Mulitalo and Siosifa Talaka sealing the deal.
In the two clashes between the sides last year the Sharks racked up two big wins, piling on 81 points to 30 in the process.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Sharks v Bulldogs
Team News
Sharks: No further changes an hour before kick-off after Royce Hunt (illness) withdrew on Thursday and was replaced by Tuku Hau Tapuha on club debut. Fellow prop Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) remains on the sidelines. Toby Rudolf has been named in the starting side. Dale Finucane celebrates his 250th NRL game (Bulldogs 66, Storm 152, Sharks 31).
Bulldogs: No changes on game day. Josh Addo-Carr has been ruled out for the next few weeks with an AC injury so new recruit Conner Tracey comes onto the wing after serving as 18th player last week. Coach Cameron Ciraldo has otherwise stuck solid with the team that went down to the Eels in Round 1, with no other changes made to the line-up. Bronson Xerri is 18th man.
This article contains content that is only available on pan66.com
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won 11 of their past 13 games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have not won at PointsBet Stadium since 2011.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 27 tries in 25 games at PointsBet Stadium.
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their past eight away games.
- Sharks co-captain Dale Finucane will make his 250th NRL appearance.
- This match will mark the 100th clash between the Sharks and the Bulldogs, who first met in 1967.
This article contains content that is only available on pan66.com
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .