Bulldogs v Sharks preview

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Belmore Sports Ground - Sunday 4:00pm

Shapes as one of the games of 2015.

After dismantling Parramatta at ANZ Stadium last Friday, the Bulldogs return to their spiritual home of Belmore Oval for only the second time since 1998. Having defeated Melbourne in Round 16 at Belmore, the Bulldogs can expect a huge turnout for the clash which will have huge implications for both clubs heading into the finals. Moses Mbye has been named on the bench, however the final makeup of the team will likely be decided later in the week. With games against the Roosters, Broncos and Rabbitohs in the next month, the Bulldogs will need to ensure they are playing well if they hope to go one better than last year.

Having recorded their fifth win in six matches, the Sharks have rediscovered their best form heading into the final two months of the regular season. Buoyed by a golden point win last Saturday over Canberra, Cronulla will be full of confidence taking on the Bulldogs where they can expect a hostile reception. Ben Barba has been named to take on his former club after missing last week, while Anthony Tupou has also been named on an extended bench after recovering from a horrific broken jaw sustained against the Warriors in Round 9. Having managed just one win against the Bulldogs since 2007, the Sharks face an almighty task against the Bulldogs, but as they have proven on several occasions so far this season they are more than capable of pulling off a major scalp.

Last Meeting: Round 2, 2014 - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 42 Cronulla Sharks 4

Who to watch: He may have played just five games in first grade, but Shaun Lane looks set for a big career at the Bulldogs. The wide-running second rower has been a revelation in recent weeks with a series of performances reminiscent of those produced by teammate Josh Jackson in 2012. Coming up against the Cronulla forward pack, Lane will face a mighty challenge but as he showed against Melbourne a month ago, he is more than capable of matching stride with the NRL's elite.

Let go by the Bulldogs in favour of Michael Lichaa, Cronulla hooker Michael Ennis will have his sights set on his former club on Sunday. Regularly making over 30 tackles a game, Ennis has been a major factor in the Sharks strong form throughout 2015. Having spent six seasons with Canterbury, Ennis will have inside information on his opponents which may well prove invaluable in the Sharks coming away with the two points.

The favourite: With a huge parochial crowd cheering them on, the Bulldogs have been backed to come away with another win at Belmore.

My tip: With the Bulldogs facing a mighty challenge in the coming weeks, Sunday afternoon may well prove to be the start of a surge to the Grand Final. Bulldogs by 2.

1. Brett Morris 2. Curtis Rona 3. Josh Morris 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Sam Perrett 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 12. Frank Pritchard 13. Greg Eastwood
Interchange: 14. Sam Kasiano 15. Shaun Lane 16. David Klemmer 17. Moses Mbye 20. Tim Browne

1. Michael Gordon 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Gerard Beale 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Jack Bird 7. Jeff Robson 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Michael Ennis 10. Sam Tagataese 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange: 14. Ben Barba 15. Chris Heighington 16. David Fifita 17. Jayson Bukuya 18. Matt Prior 21. Anthony Tupou

Referees: Gerard Sutton, Dave Munro; Sideline Officials: Brett Suttor, Ricky MacFarlane; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Henry Perenara;

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