JUNE 18th, 2023 CRONULLA SHARKS v CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
POINTSBET STADIUM, SYDNEY
In an NRL Round 16 showdown set to ignite Sydney, the Cronulla Sharks are determined to rebound from their most devastating loss in over two years when they go head-to-head with the Canterbury Bulldogs at the iconic PointsBet Stadium on Sunday. Consistency and defensive struggles have plagued the Sharks this season, presenting a stark contrast to their impressive performance under the guidance of Craig Fitzgibbon in his debut year as head coach.
Cronulla’s last two games have ended in defeat, with the most recent one being a crushing 54-10 loss at the hands of the Storm at the revered AAMI Park. While that loss seemingly dashed Nicho Hynes’ hopes of making an Origin appearance, the Sharks can breathe a sigh of relief as their star halfback is fit and ready to take the field on Sunday.
On the other hand, the Canterbury Bulldogs have yet to find their footing this season, with head coach Cameron Ciraldo encountering a challenging debut in the NRL. The Bulldogs have struggled to generate forward momentum, and their attack has been lackluster, failing to establish a successful combination.
Last week’s 34-12 defeat to the Eels highlighted Canterbury’s inability to mount a serious challenge. Moreover, their quest for victory at PointsBet Stadium faces an additional hurdle, as they have not tasted success at this venue since 2011.
The Sharks’ humbling loss against the Storm in Melbourne last week continued a concerning trend for the team. They have consistently struggled to match up against top-tier opponents in recent seasons. Their possession rate dwindled to a mere 39%, while their completion rate plummeted to 63%. These statistics underscore a worrying pattern for Cronulla, as they currently hold the lowest completion percentage in the entire NRL. The missed tackles statistic is another alarming issue, with the Sharks racking up a staggering 57 missed tackles in their previous outing.
Similarly, the Bulldogs endured a heavy defeat against the Eels, succumbing to a 34-12 loss at Accor Stadium. Sporting the worst for-and-against record in the league this season, it appears that another disappointing campaign looms for the Belmore boys. Last week, Canterbury conceded a whopping 2054 meters, highlighting a dire need for defensive improvement. Facing a Sharks team determined to dominate through the middle, the Bulldogs must rise to the challenge and shore up their defensive line.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Wade Graham 16. Jack Williams 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Connor Tracey 19. Braydon Trindall 20. Toby Rudolf 21. Daniel Atkinson 22. Jesse Colquhoun
Bulldogs team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Braidon Burns 6. Karl Oloapu 7. Matt Burton 8. Chris Patolo 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Jayden Okunbor 12. Jacob Preston 13. Harrison Edwards 14. Khaled Rajab 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Max King 17. Corey Waddell 19. Jeral Skelton 20. Kyle Flanagan 21. Fa’amanu Brown 22. Jackson Topine 23. Franklin Pele
Sharks have won the last four meetings between the teams
Bulldogs have only beaten Sharks twice since 2015
Bulldogs haven’t won at PointsBet Stadium since 2011
Bulldogs have lost seven of their last nine games
Sharks have seen 36 points or less in three of their last four games
Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 19 tries in his last 19 games at PointsBet Stadium
Braidon Burns scored a try vs Sharks earlier this season & should see chances on Addo-Carr’s wing
PREDICTION
This could be a long day at the office for the Dogs I feel. Sharks 13 plus points for me with Mulitalo anytime try scorer as a bonus.
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