FRIDAY, JUNE 28th, 2024 ACCOR STADIUM,SYDNEY
- Bulldogs Seek Redemption Against Sharks
Bulldogs Seek Redemption Against Sharks
The Bulldogs and Sharks face off for the second time this season, with the men from Belmore aiming to avenge their 25-6 defeat in Round 2 at the Shire.
Bulldogs Aim to Bounce Back
The Bulldogs will look to bounce back from a convincing loss to Sydney when they take on a Sharks side desperate to regain any resemblance of momentum.
Home Advantage
The Bulldogs have won five consecutive matches at Accor Stadium, the venue for this Round 17 clash. They enter the game having won 3 of their last 4 matches and are solidifying their position as a likely contender for finals football in 2024.
Key Player Updates
Blake Taaffe has been named at fullback after Connor Tracey entered concussion protocols having received a sickening high shot last week. Bronson Xerri has been named to return from a hamstring injury and replaces Drew Hutchison. Skipper Stephen Crichton is among the reserves and could back up following Origin Two, while Jacob Preston could return from a foot injury after being named 18th man.
Bulldogs Team Line-Up:
1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Jeral Skelton, 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes, 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Jake Turpin 15. Josh Curran , 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi 19. Jacob Preston 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Eli Clark , 22. Harry Hayes 23. Stephen Crichton
Sharks Look to Rebound
For the Sharks, they’ve lost 3 of their last 4 matches, causing their early minor premiership hopes to falter. Celebrating Siosifa Talakai’s 100th NRL match, the team will be aiming for an inspiring performance to get back on track.
Team Changes for the Sharks
Tuku Hau Tapuha has replaced Braden Hamlin-Uele on the interchange in the only named change for Cronulla. Teig Wilton has been named among the reserves and has a chance to make his return from a shoulder injury.
Game Day Factors
Despite the Bulldogs being unbeaten at home, the Sharks have one significant advantage in this match: the time of day. They have won 7 of 11 night matches this season, while the Bulldogs have only won 3 out of 9. Another interesting point is that the Bulldogs’ average winning margin this season is 19 points, closely aligning with the Sharks’ average losing margin of 21 points.
Bulldogs Look to Build on Momentum
After winning three consecutive games against the Dragons, Knights, and Eels, the Bulldogs were brought back to earth with a 26-8 loss to the Roosters. Nevertheless, they remain in sixth position and are well placed to play finals for the first time since 2016.
Player Returns Boost Bulldogs
Their chances have been boosted by the return of hard-running centre Bronson Xerri from a hamstring injury but star winger Josh Addo-Carr remains sidelined with a hamstring concern of his own.
Sharks Aim to Rebound After Bye
The Sharks, meanwhile, come into this match fresh off a Round 16 bye and eager to return to form after losing three of their past four matches, including a narrow two-point defeat to the Dolphins, where a sluggish start proved costly.
Current Standings
Despite these recent setbacks, the Sharks are still third on the table with a four-point buffer over the fourth-placed Roosters.
Sharks Team Line-Up
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro , 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey , 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Cameron McInnes, 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha, 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Jesse Colquhoun 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Teig Wilton 22. Jayden Berrell
Referee. Gerard Sutton, Touch Judges, Phil Henderson, Matt Noyen, Bunker, Adam Gee.
Historical Context
The Bulldogs have won their past five games at Accor Stadium.
The Sharks have scored 106 points in their past three games against the Bulldogs.
Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton has scored 11 tries in 14 games at Accor Stadium.
Sharks utility Siosifa Talakai will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton has scored eight tries in his past 10 games.
Prediction.
As usual for Cronulla their be-all and end-all will be Nicho Hynes. He’s been criticised throughout their start to the season, but he has been relatively strong, albeit plagued by injury.
Before his calf injury against Penrith, he had accumulated 10 try contributions in 6 games and added another try assist in their loss to the Dolphins. Now, after a week off to recover from various niggles, expect Hynes to come out firing.
Sharks for me.
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