The return - and return to form - of Wade Graham may be just the thing to push the Sharks from being a finals-bound side into a premiership contender.
In his first two club matches back from an ACL injury and then his superb showing for NSW at Optus Stadium on Sunday night, Graham has reminded everyone that he is one of the best back-rowers in the game.
Once he is back to being an 80-minute player and Andrew Fifita returns from suspension, the Sharks look ready to secure a top-four spot and make a run at another title.
As for the Bulldogs, avoiding the wooden spoon has to be their goal from here. With matches against the Knights, Broncos and Roosters following Sunday's meeting with Cronulla, things aren't looking great.
Match: Bulldogs v Sharks
Round 15 -
home Team
Bulldogs
16th Position
away Team
Sharks
8th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Bulldogs: Dean Pay has brought in Brandon Wakeham and Adam Elliott onto the interchange with Rhyse Martin and Danny Fualalo omitted an hour before kick-off. His only move on Saturday was to trim Renouf Toomaga and Raymond Faitala-Mariner from the reserves. Jack Cogger suffered a head knock in round 13 and sat out the Roosters game as a precaution but he is back in the No.7 to partner Kieran Foran in the halves. Michael Lichaa comes in at hooker for Jeremy Marshall-King while Chris Smith is the new starting lock.
Sharks: Cronulla have switched Jack Williams into the starting side with Braden Hamlin-Uele back to the interchange following regular prop Andrew Fifita's suspension. Aaron Woods was listed among the reserves but will make his return from a foot injury. Aaron Gray and Scott Sorensen were dropped from the reserves on Saturday. Kyle Flanagan and Blayke Brailey have missed the final cut.
Match: Bulldogs v Sharks
Round 15 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakFullback for Sharks is number 1 Matt Moylan
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Nick MeaneyWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sosaia Feki
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Marcelo MontoyaCentre for Sharks is number 3 Bronson Xerri
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Will HopoateCentre for Sharks is number 4 Josh Morris
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Reimis SmithWinger for Sharks is number 5 Josh Dugan
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Kieran ForanFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Shaun Johnson
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Jack CoggerHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Aiden TolmanProp for Sharks is number 10 Matt Prior
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Michael LichaaHooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden Brailey
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Dylan NapaProp for Sharks is number 16 Jack Williams
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Harawira-Naera2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Chris SmithLock for Sharks is number 13 Paul Gallen
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Ofahiki OgdenInterchange for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Sauaso SueInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Jayson Bukuya
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Brandon WakehamInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Kurt Capewell
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 21 Adam ElliottInterchange for Sharks is number 21 Aaron Woods
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran might be in the final stages of their careers, but both men still have the ability to decide matches. Johnson was imperious during New Zealand's big win over Tonga last weekend while Foran is a rare shining light for the Bulldogs. The Kiwi compatriots might just produce something special on Sunday.
For the Bulldogs to win
Canterbury's best chance right now is to play for field position and then hope their opposition make errors deep inside their own half. If the Sharks have an off day the Bulldogs can spring an upset. If they can remain in the contest until the mid-point of the second half, a bit of panic might creep into the Cronulla side.
For the Sharks to win
Get off to a fast start and make the Bulldogs start thinking about how bad things are going. The stats suggest that if you get to 20 points you'll beat the Bulldogs. The Sharks have that in them - and then some.
Brett Kimmorley says
The return of Wade Graham has been wonderful for the Sharks. He was great in Origin and if he can bring that form back to club football I don't think a Canterbury side that is 16th on the ladder can match them. I'd expect Cronulla to jump out of the blocks. If they do that they can put a score on the Bulldogs. Sharks by 10
Stat Attack
If 16th place on the ladder doesn't make for grim enough reading, a deeper dive into the 2019 Bulldogs doesn't make things look any brighter. They also have the worst attack (an average of 12.6 points per game) and the worst defence (24.1 points per game).
And another thing ...
After a series of impressive performances in limited minutes, Braden Hamlin-Uele's time to shine has arrived. Fifita's absence is likely to lead to increased minutes. There's been little in the nine matches he's played this year to suggest he won't rise to the occasion.
