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.
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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.
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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.