NRL Match Preview: Round 4 v Bulldogs

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Fri 28 Mar 2025, 07:34 PM

The scene is set for a Saturday night slugfest as Cronulla prepare to go toe-to-toe with the unbeaten Bulldogs at Sharks Stadium.

24-hour squad update

With heavy rain forecast throughout the day – but hopefully clearing by kick-off – the Sharks will encounter vastly different conditions to the dry, fast track that proved conducive to expansive play in last week's 27-12 win over the Rabbitohs.

Now boasting a 2-1 record, Cronulla are anticipating a gritty affair against a hard-nosed Canterbury side (second place) who have started the season with three wins for the first time since 2012, when they went on to reach the grand final.

"They know what sort of team they want to become and so do we. We've had really competitive games against them in the last few years," Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said, with the ledger finishing 1-1 after two clashes in 2024.

"We're expecting nothing less. They're a quality side. They do those hard parts (of the game) very well. We're looking forward to the challenge of that.

"We're expecting a very difficult game."

The Sharks produced two try-of-the-year contenders last week, throwing the ball around brilliantly in jaw-dropping long-range efforts.

But while enjoying the freedom to take chances, the players have been quick to reiterate they pride themselves on their work without the ball.

"We like to grind it out in defence, but we are lucky to have some pretty special players in our squad who can provide some unreal plays," Blayke Brailey said.

"We're trying to balance both sides of the game and not push the limits too much."

The teams last met in Round 17, 2024, when the Bulldogs dramatically rallied to win 15-14 thanks to a golden-point field goal from playmaker Matt Burton, who will miss this weekend's clash due to a knee complaint.

However, Cronulla have won 12 of their past 15 encounters with Canterbury including five straight victories at Sharks Stadium dating back to 2017.

Both sides have been afflicted by injury, with Sharks prop Tom Hazelton (back) withdrawing from the contest. He is replaced on the bench by Toby Rudolf, who will play his first match since last year's preliminary final post shoulder surgery.

Sharks prop Braden Hamlin-Uele has also been sidelined after sustaining knee cartilage damage against South Sydney, while utility Siosifa Talakai remains a chance to suit up having recovered well from an ankle issue.

For the Bulldogs, star second-rower Viliame Kikau (knee) remains alongside Burton on the unavailable list. Bailey Hayward has retained Burton's No.6 jersey after a leading performance in last week's 16-8 win over the Eels.

There are key matchups across the park, including the battle of fullbacks and former teammates Will Kennedy and Connor Tracey, who are locked together in fourth place on the Dally M Medal leaderboard with 10 points.

Kennedy was sensational against the Rabbitohs, contributing a try, two line-break assists and 187 metres, while ex-Shark Tracey set up a four-pointer and surpassed 200 metres in a man-of-the-match Round 3 display.

Coming off arguably their finest performance as a pairing, Sharks halves Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes will look to use their superior experience to outpoint Bulldogs duo Hayward and Toby Sexton (177 combined NRL games versus 73).

Up front, the contest between a Sharks pack led by enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake and the consistent yet somewhat unheralded Bulldogs big men will be crucial.

In his 150th NRL game, Cronulla centre Jesse Ramien will mark former Sharks speedster Bronson Xerri, who will play in the Shire for the first time as a Bulldog.

The crowd will play a vital role, with Fitzgibbon calling on the Cronulla faithful to pack out Sharks Stadium after creating an electric atmosphere last Saturday.

"I hope it's rocking again. It was great," Fitzgibbon said.

"There was a real buzz around the first game we had here for the season. This will be our last here for about six weeks (when we're) on the road. It's important to us that we display the attributes we want for our community and our fans.

"Hopefully we displayed some of those last week and it gets them to come back. It'd be great to see them turn out in numbers again and be vocal."

Kick-off is set for 7.35pm. CLICK HERE to secure a ticket before it's too late!

If you can't make it, catch the action live on Fox League and Kayo.

See the updated 24-hour team lists below.

Round 4 - Saturday 29th March

Full Time

Sharks

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel Stonestreet

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Bailey Hayward
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Curran
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Harry Hayes
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Tuku Hau Tapuha

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Sitili Tupouniua
Interchange for Sharks is number 21 Toby Rudolf

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 21 Jack Todd