The undefeated Bulldogs head to the Shark-infested waters of Cronulla in arguably one of the top matches of the round. The Dogs are on a three-game winning streak to start the season and sit second on the ladder after posting a 16-8 win over Parramatta last week, despite missing stars Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau with injury.
Led by strong performances from halves Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall, who both crossed for tries, the Sharks proved far too strong for the Rabbitohs in their 27-12 win which was set up by a dominant 20-0 first-half performance. This week is set to provide a stronger challenge, especially with forward Braden Hamlin-Uele sidelined and Siosifa Talakai under a cloud after hurting his ankle against Souths.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has emphasized the importance of this match, stating, "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. 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."
Team News for the Sharks reveals that prop Toby Rudolf has been cleared for his first game of 2025 after completing his recovery from off-season shoulder surgery. The forward was added to the interchange in Friday's team update, with Tom Hazelton dropping out as he continues to battle a back complaint. Siosifa Talakai has also overcome an ankle injury and remains on the interchange for Saturday night's match.
On the Bulldogs' side, coach Cameron Ciraldo goes with the same 17 that took care of business against the Eels in Round 3. Bailey Hayward retains the No.6 jersey after making a great fist of his first game as a starting five-eighth last week. No changes for the Bulldogs on Friday night, with Jonathan Sua and Jack Todd the two to remain in the squad.
As for the match-up, the Sharks have won six of their past seven games against the Bulldogs. Canterbury have not won at Sharks Stadium since 2011, and this history looms large as the teams prepare to clash. Cronulla winger Sam Stonestreet has scored four tries in four games at Sharks Stadium, while Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri has scored nine tries in 11 games at the same venue.
In a milestone moment, Sharks centre Jesse Ramien will play his 150th NRL game, adding extra significance to this encounter. The stage is set for a thrilling battle, with both teams looking to assert their dominance early in the season.
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. Blayke Brailey noted, "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. We're trying to balance both sides of the game and not push the limits too much."
Kick-off is set for 7:35 p.m. AEDT at Sharks Stadium, and the atmosphere is expected to be electric. Fitzgibbon has called on the Cronulla faithful to pack out the stadium, echoing sentiments from last week’s home game: "I hope it's rocking again. It was great. 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."
As the teams take to the field, the anticipation is palpable. The Sharks, with their recent form and home advantage, will look to maintain their strong record against the Bulldogs, while Canterbury aims to continue their unbeaten streak and prove they are contenders this season. With both teams fielding strong line-ups and a history of close contests, fans can expect a fiercely competitive match.
For viewers, the match will be available for live TV broadcast on Fox League in Australia, and streaming options are accessible on Foxtel and Kayo Sports. New users of Kayo can currently sign up for a free trial, making it easier than ever for fans to catch the action.
Overall, this matchup promises not only to be a test of skill and strategy but also a showcase of the passion that defines rugby league. With everything on the line, both the Sharks and Bulldogs are ready to battle it out in what is sure to be an unforgettable night of NRL action.
