Round 6: Sharks v Bulldogs preview
Sydney battlers look to build confidence.
Coming into Round 6 with one win respectively, the Cronulla Sharks and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will be looking to build confidence when they face off at Bankwest Stadium on Sunday evening.
Suffering a disappointing 30-16 defeat at the hands of the Dragons last Sunday, the Cronulla Sharks will be aiming to continue a strong record over the blue and whites having won five of their past six meetings.
Yet to produce a consistent performance across 80 minutes this season, coach John Morris will be stressing the importance of maintaining intensity after squandering leads shortly before halftime in three of their past four matches.
Retaining William Kennedy at fullback in place of Matt Moylan (hamstring tightness), Siosifa Talakai and club debutant Royce Hunt have been named on the bench. Journeyman Bryson Goodwin is in line to make his first appearance for the club since 2008 after being named as part of the extended squad.
Blown off the park in a one-sided 42-6 defeat at the hands of the Roosters on Monday night, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will be desperate to atone against their southern Sydney opponents.
Averaging just over ten points per game - the worst attacking record of any team after five rounds - coach Dean Pay will have his team focussed on avoiding another slow start after conceding four tries in the first 25 minutes against last year's premiers.
Unable to call upon veteran prop Aiden Tolman due to COVID-19 protocols, try-scoring weapon Reimis Smith returns from a one-match ban at the expense of Nick Meaney, while Kerrod Holland comes onto the bench in a utility role.
Last meeting: Round 15 2019 - Bulldogs 14 Sharks 12
Who to watch: Making an eye-catching return three years after his last appearance in the NRL, Cronulla forward Siosifa Talakai will be determined to make the most of his second chance in the top grade. Touted as a star of the future after representing the Junior Kiwis and debuting with South Sydney while still a teenage, the 23-year-old has spent several years in the rugby league wilderness before earning his way back as an impact forward with the Newtown squad that claimed the State Championship last season. Running for 75 metres in 19 minutes of game time in the Sharks lone win this season, look for Talakai to build on those numbers as he strives to establish himself as a permanent fixture in John Morris' squad.
Producing a number of slashing runs during the loss to the reigning premiers last Monday, rookie Jake Averillo served as a rare source of light for the struggling club. Named to start on the wing after coming off the bench as replacement playmaker earlier in the season, the 19-year-old speedster has been touted as a star of the future for the Bulldogs after progressing through the lower grades at the club. Making seven tackle breaks and over 140 metres with the ball last week, look for the Bulldogs to provide Averillo with plenty of ball as they fight to avoid the ignominy of finishing the round on the bottom of the ladder.
The favourite: While both sides have struggled before and after the competition shutdown, the Sharks are expected to have too much experience for the out-of-form Bulldogs.
My tip: Despite conceding seven tries in both of their losses since the season resumed, the Bulldogs have shown that when they are able to grind away and play on their terms, they are more than capable of causing an upset. Bulldogs by 4.
