NRL 2023, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Cronulla Sharks, round 8 preview, Anzac round, team lists, ins and outs, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 22 Apr 2023, 04:31 PM

The Bulldogs will be desperate for a change of fortunes when they host the Sharks at Accor Stadium on Saturday.

Coming off heavy back-to-back losses and with injuries hitting hard, the Bulldogs will have their depth tested as well as their resolve when they face an enigmatic Cronulla side still searching for back-to-back wins.

With Jacob Kiraz's MCL injury and Viliame Kikau's training mishap the latest blows to hit the Bulldogs they'll need co-captains Reed Mahoney and Matt Burton and forward leader Tevita Pangai jnr to stand tall if they are to return to the winners' list.

The Sharks are 3-3 on the season after beating the Roosters for the first time in seven clashes on Friday and now look to build momentum on the back of playmaker Nicho Hynes, who has racked up five try assists and seven line break assists in his three appearances this year.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Saturday 22 Apr

Full Time

Bulldogs

Sharks

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney

Highlights Latest

Team News

Bulldogs: The Bulldogs are 1-17 with no changes on game day. Centre Jake Averillo (knee) and bench forward Andrew Davey (finger) will both play. A knee injury to winger Jacob Kiraz sees Declan Casey come into the side while Braidon Burns returns from an ankle injury on the other wing. Jayden Okunbor shifts from the wing back to the bench. Rookie playmaker Karl Oloapu, Sam Hughes and Reece Hoffman all dropped out on Friday. Jeral Skelton is 18th Man.

Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon has stuck with the same squad that got the job done against the Roosters. Skipper Dale Finucane has two more games to serve on his suspension and will return for Magic Round in Brisbane. Braydon Trindall is 18th Man.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Saturday 22 Apr

Full Time

Bulldogs

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze Perham

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Declan Casey

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake Averillo

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul Alamoti

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Braidon Burns

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Kyle Flanagan

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Matt Burton

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Oregon Kaufusi
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Tevita Pangai Junior

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Josh Reynolds

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Wade Graham
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Jayden Okunbor

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Andrew Davey

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Ryan Sutton

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Reserves

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Jeral Skelton

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Braydon Trindall

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:51 AM

Stat Attack

The Bulldogs have won four of their past six games at Accor Stadium.
The Sharks have won nine of their past 11 games against the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs have conceded 80 points in their past two games.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored seven tries in his past five games.
The Bulldogs are missing seven players from the team that kicked off the season in Round 1.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.