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.
Match: Sharks v Bulldogs
Round 2 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Blake Taaffe
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jacob Kiraz
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa TalakaiCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Connor Tracey
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Drew Hutchison
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby RudolfProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon KaufusiProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Poasa Faamausili
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
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Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Dale FinucaneInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack WilliamsInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Samuel Hughes
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Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas HazeltonInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Josh Curran
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Tuku Hau TapuhaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Kurtis Morrin
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Kayal IroReplacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Bronson Xerri
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Todd Smith
Last updated:
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.
Match: Sharks v Bulldogs
Round 2 -
home Team
Sharks
3rd Position
away Team
Bulldogs
16th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
