The Sharks, sitting in 12th, are playing for pride, while the Bulldogs currently sitting in 10th, still have a faint sniff of the finals despite being two wins out of the top eight with just four games to play.
Cronulla tend to win and lose their games in batches. They went on a four-match winning streak mid-season but that form is now a distant memory as they find themselves on a four-match losing streak, highlighted by a diabolical performance against wooden spoon contenders, Gold Coast Titans.
On the back of this defeat, you can’t help but ask, if they couldn’t get across the line against the last-placed Titans when there was still the lure of a finals berth, what motivation is left now?
On the other hand, the Dogs have won two of their past three to keep faint finals hopes flickering. They were very impressive in defeating North Queensland last start.
They need to keep winning and have the teams above falter to have any hope of playing finals footy, but stranger things have happened.
Promising Shark Jayson Bukuya returns after a month on the sidelines, joining Paul Gallen who has been given a lighter week on the training paddock due to a calf complaint. Albert Kelly’s comeback to the NRL has been put on hold with the livewire half turning out in the NSW Cup on Saturday.
For the Bulldogs, Ben Roberts returns at five-eighth, pushing Josh Reynolds back to hooker and Joel Romelo out of the side. Josh Reynolds shifting to hooker presents a threat to the Sharks. He has scored three tries in six games and has the defence in two minds every time he’s got the ball.
Key Stats
• Bulldogs have the better head-to-head record (50-30) between the clubs and have won four of the last five clashes.
• Cronulla have won just four of its past 16 matches against the Bulldogs dating back to the beginning of 2011.
• Bulldogs will be trying to win consecutive matches for the first time since round seven.
• Cronulla has lost 10 from 10 this season when trailing or level at half-time.
• In the 35 matches played between the teams at Toyota Stadium, the Bulldogs have won 18, the Sharks 16, with one draw.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 15, 2011 – Sharks 26-10.
Betting: Sharks $2.15, Bulldogs $1.68
JVGO
Guest
Just been to the game with my relatives from the US and their kids (dogs supporters). Pretty entertaining 2nd half, Wade graham got absolutely cleaned up in front of us and the Americans particularly enloyed jamal lassooing Gardner by the shorts and swinging his butt round his head. Sharks have absolutely nothing in the outside backs unfortunately, which must drive their tough forwards nuts. Blake ferguson was a massive loss, as will be Douggie and kade. The game really turned on the Barba try just before half time which was pretty much against the run of play. The game plan was obviously to bomb the crap out of Barba but he caught everything and got a bit of a hand from the ref too. Things may turn for the Sharks if Mills and Pickard can come through from U20's and Chad can take the next step in confidence, he actually ran a bit tonight which was a good sign.
shane
Roar Guru
As mentioned earlier, Sharks just missing that touch of class in the final third. In saying that I doubt the Bulldogs will be playing finals footy on the back of that effort. Not game for the ages that's for sure.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Thanks for the call Shane - interesting that the stats were so close, errors costing the Sharks along with the completions.
shane
Roar Guru
Fulltime stats Score Sharks – 12 Bulldogs – 19 Possession Sharks – 49% Bulldogs – 51% Completion rate Sharks – 26/40 Bulldogs – 31/39 Tackles Sharks – 312 Bulldogs – 308 Line breaks Sharks – 3 Bulldogs – 3 Offloads Sharks – 18 Bulldogs – 14 Errors Sharks – 15 Bulldogs – 9 Penalties Sharks – 5 Bulldogs – 5
shane
Roar Guru
And that's fulltime. The Sharks had their chances to win this game, especially in the second half, but the Bulldogs stay in the race for the top 8. Not a convincing performance from the Dogs but they walk away with the two points and move on to Manly next week. Sharks- 12 Bulldogs- 19
shane
Roar Guru
78' And that will seal the game for the Dogs as Trent Hodkinson slots a field goal. Sharks- 12 Bulldogs- 19
shane
Roar Guru
75' Well Ben Barba has copped his fair share the last few weeks but he has been up to the task tonight as he defuses another aerial attack. Sharks- 12 Bulldogs- 18
shane
Roar Guru
74' Dogs survive. The Sharks have had plenty of chances but their 5th tackle options have not been all the good this evening. Just missing that class and experience in their halves. Running out of time to level this match up. Sharks- 12 Bulldogs- 18
shane
Roar Guru
71' Sharks penalty as the Dogs are penalised for a strip. Sharks with ball 40 out from Dogs line.
shane
Roar Guru
70' Dogs survive as Steve Turner makes a try saving tackle in the corner. Could be a game changer as the dogs bring the ball back from a scrum feed. Big set here for the Bulldogs. Sharks- 12 Bulldogs- 18
shane
Roar Guru
68' Sharks on a roll, another solid set ends with the Dogs batting the ball dead in goal. Sharks looking dangerous. Sharks- 12 Bulldogs- 18
shane
Roar Guru
67' Great set after a try from the Sharks but Barba again takes the high ball. Pritchard back out there. Sharks- 12 Bulldogs- 18
shane
Roar Guru
64' Try Sharks. Ben Barba dropped ball set after a try and the Sharks have hit back through Sam Tagataese as he bursts through a hole and the Sharks hit back immediately. Stapleton converts. Sharks- 12 Bulldogs- 18
shane
Roar Guru
62' Turner misses. Has that try taken the wind out of the Sharks? Sharks- 6 Bulldogs- 18
shane
Roar Guru
61' Try Dogs. Perfectly weighted kick from Hodkinson to Steve Turner sees the Bulldogs extend their lead 18-6 with kick to come.
shane
Roar Guru
60' Sharks survive for now, but they will be tested again as they are forced in goal. Dogs bring ball back from a goal like drop out.
shane
Roar Guru
59' Dogs kick on the last and Sharks drop it on the first tackle. Great chance for the Dogs.
shane
Roar Guru
57' Penalty Bulldogs inside the Sharks 20. The Dogs will no doubt take the two points on offer to stretch the lead to 8. Dogs have done well to hold on and now extend their lead. It has been all the Sharks in this second half. Turner converts. Sharks- 6 Bulldogs- 14
shane
Roar Guru
53' Again the Sharks with the ball need to push forward. test the Dogs defence up the middle. Another poor 5th tackle kick from Sharks. Ben Barba again answers the challenge, no sign of the Barba from the previous few weeks. Sharks- 6 Bulldogs- 12
shane
Roar Guru
50' Dogs survive another scare as the bomb is knocked on from Sharks. Dogs bringing the ball out from own half. Sharks- 6 Bulldogs- 12