Siosifa Talakai will celebrate his 100th NRL game as the Sharks return from a bye against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Friday night.
In a major boost for Cronulla, edge forward Teig Wilton (shoulder) has been elevated to the bench for his first match since Round 13. He replaces prop Tuku Hau Tapuha, who was originally named at the expense of the ill Braden Hamlin-Uele.
The teams last met in Round 2, with Cronulla scoring twice in the final 15 minutes to secure a 25-6 home victory after being locked at 6-all at halftime.
The Sharks (third position) have won six straight matches against Canterbury, and 12 of 14 since 2015, but they won't underestimate Cameron Ciraldo's sixth-placed side given they've established themselves among the NRL's top defensive outfits.
The Bulldogs have conceded the second-fewest points this season (16.9 per game) and are yet to be beaten in five starts at Homebush as the home team.
"It's gonna be a good contest for everyone to watch," Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo said. "If you're a fan, that's the game I think you want to be at and watch.
"Looking forward to the contest. We respect them as a footy team and can't wait to get out there on Friday night and play a good game."
Coach Craig Fitzgibbon added: "They'll be a difficult challenge for us, but all the while we're ready to be a challenge for them too."
Recharged after a bye and with the benefit of not having players backing up from State of Origin, the Sharks are confident of recapturing their best form.
"We're training hard and we're working on getting back to what got us on that run of (seven consecutive wins) we put together," centre Jesse Ramien said.
"(The Bulldogs) are a different side and they've been playing really well this year."
Talakai, who has played 88 first-grade matches for Cronulla after debuting at South Sydney in 2016, remains listed to start in the second row.
For the Bulldogs, NSW Origin hero Stephen Crichton could be a late addition to the starting side having been named as a reserve earlier in the week.
Sharks wingers Mulitalo and Sione Katoa own impressive try-scoring strike rates against the Bulldogs. Mulitalo has bagged six four-pointers in as many clashes with Canterbury, while the acrobatic Katoa boasts eight in six encounters.
Kick-off tomorrow is at 8pm. Watch live on Nine, Nine Now, Foxtel and Kayo.
See the updated 19-man team lists below.
Match: Bulldogs v Sharks
Round 17 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 4 Jacob KirazFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake WilsonWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 23 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jeral SkeltonWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
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Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby SextonHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
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Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel HughesProp for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Siosifa Talakai
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Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Bailey HaywardLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 1 Blake TaaffeInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Jack Williams
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh CurranInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Royce Hunt
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis MorrinInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Thomas Hazelton
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Lipoi HopoiInterchange for Sharks is number 21 Teig Wilton
Reserves
-
Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Harry HayesReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Daniel Atkinson
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated: