NRL Match Preview: Round 17 v Bulldogs

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Thu 27 Jun 2024, 07:59 PM

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.

Round 17 - Round 17 - Friday 28 Jun

Full Time

Bulldogs

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 4 Jacob Kiraz

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Bulldogs is number 23 Stephen Crichton

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jeral Skelton

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Siosifa Talakai
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Bailey Hayward

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 1 Blake Taaffe

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jack Williams
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Royce Hunt
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis Morrin

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Thomas Hazelton
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Lipoi Hopoi

Interchange for Sharks is number 21 Teig Wilton