Bulldogs v Sharks: Casey to debut; Hynes raring to go
Having climbed off the bottom of the ladder with consecutive wins the Bulldogs look to continue their resurgence against the fifth-placed Sharks.
With Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr combining superbly the Bulldogs have racked up 70 points in the past fortnight to blow the Eels and Tigers off the park and they look to be enjoying their footy under Mick Potter.
The Sharks started fast with wins in five of their first seven games but have been inconsistent in the ensuing seven games with victories over the Titans twice and Warriors twice punctuated by losses to fellow contenders Brisbane, Canberra and the Roosters.
Coach Craig Fitzgibbon will be looking for his side to make a real statement against the Bulldogs ahead of a huge month in which they face the Storm, Cowboys, Panthers and Rabbitohs.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Bulldogs v Sharks
The Rundown
Team news
Bulldogs: A late positional switch for the home side with Corey Waddell coming into the starting side for Raymond Faitala-Mariner, who goes back to the bench. Coach Mick Potter will miss the clash as he isolates due to COVID protocols. Declan Casey will make his debut after being called into the centres to replace Corey Allan. Matt Burton will play after his stunning Origin debut while Kurt Morrin is good to go after picking up a shoulder injury on debut against the Tigers in Round 15.
Sharks: Only the one change for the visitors with Cameron McInnes moving to the bench and Dale Finucane starting. The Sharks will roll out the same side that downed the Titans with Siosifa Talakai and Nicho Hynes returning from the victorious Blues camp and Ronaldo Mulitalo riding high after a fine Test debut for the Kiwis.
Match: Bulldogs v Sharks
Round 16 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Jake AverilloFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Aaron SchouppCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 19 Declan CaseyCentre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle FlanaganHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-KingHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul VaughanProp for Sharks is number 10 Royce Hunt
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 15 Corey Waddell2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Tevita Pangai JuniorLock for Sharks is number 15 Dale Finucane
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 12 Raymond Faitala-MarinerInterchange for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Zach Dockar-ClayInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Aiden Tolman
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Joe StimsonInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Teig Wilton
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Kurtis MorrinInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew Fifita
Reserves
-
Replacement for Bulldogs is number 21 Jayden TannerReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Connor Tracey
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Key match-up
Kyle Flanagan v Nicho Hynes: The Bulldogs playmaker has found form big time in the past two weeks, combining superbly in the halves with Matt Burton to unleash his side's attack. When things were tough early in the season the Bulldogs took seven games to rack up 70 points but they've scored that many in a fortnight with Flanagan standing tall. Hynes has enjoyed a magnificent season since joining the Sharks with 15 forced dropouts, eight try assists, 14 line break assists and 30 offloads. The former Storm man has the size and speed to carve up a defensive line and he'll make the Dogs pay if they give him room to move.
Stat Attack
Sharks flyer Ronaldo Mulitalo leads the NRL for line breaks with 20 in 12 matches and his team-mate Sione Katoa is third on the list with 14. Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr is fourth in the NRL with 13 line breaks.
Match: Bulldogs v Sharks
Round 16 -
home Team
Bulldogs
14th Position
away Team
Sharks
4th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
