Magic Round Friday: Sharks v Bulldogs; Rabbitohs v Dolphins
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The annual festival of footy at Magic Round kicks off with a Friday night double featuring two sides searching for their best form in game one and two sides capable of scoring tries for fun in game two.
The Sharks (4-5) and Bulldogs (3-6) get us underway on Friday night with both sides looking to their halves to ignite a turnaround before their season slips away.
Both these sides boast enough big-game players to make a statement on the Magic Round stage and kick start a run towards the finals so a classic contest is on the cards.
And that takes us into a high-octane clash that pits Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako and Herbie Farnworth against Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham and Cody Walker in a sizzling showdown.
The Rabbitohs look every inch a title contender on the basis of their wins over the Sharks, Storm and Bulldogs, while the men from Redcliffe are capable of running any defence ragged on their day and will be keen to avenge a 40-30 loss to Souths in Round 1.
Follow all the Magic Round action on NRL.com's live blog.
Sharks v Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium
Match: Sharks v Bulldogs
Round 11 -
home Team
Sharks
10th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
13th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
AFB: 'Only thinking about the Sharks'
Late Mail
Sharks: One change on game day with Hohepa Puru to start at hooker and Jayden Berrell going to the bench. Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo and centre Jesse Ramien are on track to return from knee injuries. The NRL's longest consecutive game streak will come to an end after Blayke Brailey was ruled out of Friday's match due to a head knock. Cam McInnes has also been ruled out due to an ankle injury. Jesse Colquhoun returns to the starting side in his place.
Bulldogs: No further changes on game day after Sam Hughes was ruled out with a neck injury and Josh Curran succumbed to a rib injury on Thursday. Lipoi Hopoi and Jack Underhill were added to the six-man bench. Five-eighth Matt Burton is back after illness ruled him out of last week's loss to the Dolphins. Prop Max King returns from a broken jaw and Kurt Mann (concussion) is also back.
Numbers Game
- 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.
Rabbitohs v Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium
Match: Rabbitohs v Dolphins
Round 11 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
4th Position
away Team
Dolphins
9th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Numbers Game
- The Rabbitohs have scored 30 points or more in their last six games.
- Dolphins right winger Jamayne Isaako has scored 50 points in his last three games.
- The Rabbitohs have lost five of their last six games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Dolphins left winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored six tries in four Magic Round games.
