Sharks v Bulldogs: Ronaldo, Ramien return; Big three good to go
The last time the Bulldogs lost four games in a row was the end of the 2023 season so they find themselves in unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory heading to Magic Round.
After producing a stunning upset over the Panthers in Round 6, the blue and whites have been beaten by the Eels, Broncos, Cowboys and Dolphins, conceding 142 points in the process.
In Brisbane this weekend they confront a Sharks side capable of putting on plenty of tries on their day but also giving up 27 points per game - a stat that will have coach Craig Fitzgibbon demanding more commitment in defence.
This is the first time the two clubs have met at Magic Round and there’s plenty at stake as we head into the State of Origin period and the impending loss of some big guns.
Match: Sharks v Bulldogs
Round 11 -
home Team
Sharks
10th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
13th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Sharks: A double boost for the Sharks with winger Ronaldo Mulitalo and centre Jesse Ramien returning for Magic Round. Mulitalo hasn't played since suffering an ACL injury playing for New Zealand in the Pacific Championships last October while Ramien has missed four games with a knee injury. Siosifa Talakai shifts from centre to the interchange and Mawene Hiroti has been named in No.19. Jayden Berrell comes in at hooker for Blayke Brailey, whose run of 139 consecutive games comes to and end due to concussion. Cam McInnes (ankle) is replaced at lock by Jesse Colquhoun
Bulldogs: Three big inclusions for coach Cameron Ciraldo as Canterbury look to end a four-game losing streak. Matt Burton (illness) is back at five-eighth, Max King (jaw) returns in the front row and Kurt Mann (concussion) comes on to the interchange. King’s return will see Sam Hughes shift to the bench, while Sean O’Sullivan and Josh Curran drop back to the reserves. The outside backs remain unchanged with Jacob Kiraz at least a week away from in his recovery from a knee injury.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel StonestreetWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jonathan Sua
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
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Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL IroCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari Tuala
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Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
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Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
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Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden BerrellHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby RudolfProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Sitili Tupouniua
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse ColquhounLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa TalakaiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
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Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy BurnsInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Samuel Hughes
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Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas HazeltonInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Alekolasimi Jones
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Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa PuruInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jethro Rinakama
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Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Mawene HirotiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Lipoi Hopoi
Reserves
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Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Braden UeleReserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Josh Curran
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Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Riley JonesReserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Sean O'Sullivan
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Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Niwhai PuruReserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Jed Reardon
Sharks Ins
- Braden Uele
- Jayden Berrell
- Jesse Ramien
- Niwhai Puru
- Ronaldo Mulitalo
Bulldogs Ins
- Jed Reardon
- Kurt Mann
- Matt Burton
- Max King
Sharks Outs
- Blayke Brailey
- Cameron McInnes
Bulldogs Ins
- Logan Spinks
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won seven of their last nine games against the Bulldogs
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their six Magic Round games.
- Sharks centre KL Iro has scored seven tries in his last three games.
- Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton will make his 150th NRL appearance.
- Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes requires eight points for 1000 career points.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
