The Jersey Flegg Sharks hit a considerable hurdle with a loss to the Sea Eagles last weekend, meaning they now need a win over the Bulldogs in the last round of the season, combined with other results falling in their favour, if they hope to qualify for the upcoming Finals series.
The Sharks were out enthused by a Manly side out of Finals contention, beaten 50-22 in the match played at 4 Pines Park, with the result putting a serious dint in their premiership aspirations.
The equation is now simple, with the sixth-placed Sharks needing a win over the Bulldogs, combined with a loss by the Dragons in their match against the third-placed Wests Tigers, for them to force their way into the five-team Flegg Finals.
The Sharks v Bulldogs match will be played at 3.15pm on Saturday, before the Tigers v Dragons game which doesn’t get underway until 7.30pm later that night.
In giving the Sharks some confidence of delivering a positive result, regular halfback Ryan Rivett has been named to return after playing for the Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup last week, along with five eighth Manaia Waitere who missed the game against the Sea Eagles due to injury.
The Sharks v Bulldogs Jersey Flegg match is scheduled for a 5.30pm kickoff at PointsBet Stadium as the curtain-raiser to the NRL clash featuring the same two teams.
See below the Sharks team list.
Jersey Flegg Team List – Round 24
Sharks v Bulldogs
Saturday, August 27
PointsBet Stadium
Kick-off – 3.15pm
1 Kane Ball
2 Tom Rodwell
3 Trentham Petersen
4 Noah Lester
5 Samuel Stonestreet
6 Manaia Waitere
7 Ryan Rivett
8 Jack Martin
9 Samuel Healey
10 Lachlan Crouch
11 Kai Parker ©
12 Toby Boothroyd
13 Kyle Pickering
14 Rhys Dakin
15 Joshua Finau
16 Douglas Levi
17 Toataua Porima
18 Salesi Ataata