Round 16: Sharks v Bulldogs preview
Sides look to bounce back from mediocre fortnight
The Cronulla Sharks will be looking for revenge after a horrific trip to Melbourne when they take on the Canterbury Bulldogs at Pointsbet Stadium.
Well, the Sharks were looking like a certain top 4 side a couple of weeks ago. But, a streak of recent losses has put that predicament seemingly on a knifes edge. A 54-10 defeat to Melbourne is the last straw on their season, but the question will be how the playing group responds as their minds looked elsewhere for the duration of the 80 minutes. Nicho Hynes' Origin audition was a write-off from the kick-off, but it serves as a good thing for the Sharks as they have his services for what is a crunch match in their season.
Elsewhere, their forwards with the exception of Jack Williams were out enthused by a Storm pack that was itself humiliated by the Cowboys a mere week earlier. Their backs tried hard, however their enthusiastic ball playing came back to bite. Matt Moylan was another to bomb hard, replaced with two minutes to go and in big doubt to keep his spot with Braydon Trindall carving up the NSW Cup. If the Sharks can simplify their game plan and play the football we know that they are capable of, then their season has a chance of getting back on track.
Despite the thumping at the hands of the Storm, coach Craig Fitzgibbon has resisted swinging the selection axe. The only change to his 17 is a forced one (cue Sharks twitter handling the rage of their supporters). Royce Hunt is out after suffering an ankle injury in Round 15 which requires surgery. Rookie Thomas Hazelton comes back into the squad on the bench and Oregon Kaufusi moves into the starting side to partner Braden Hamlin-Uele in the front row.
Canterbury were a play away from beating the Roosters a fortnight ago. However, they took some steps backward in their game against the Eels. Tevita Pangai Jr ruined any chance of reclaiming his NSW jumper with some horrible defensive reads which led to Parramatta tries. Elsewhere, they were stuck in neutral in attack hoping and praying that Josh Addo-Carr and Matt Burton had answers to an attacking jigsaw that was running out of pieces that fit.
That being said, there were some good signs in Karl Oloapu having his best game in grade, setting up Matt Burton's try with a determined effort and offload. Jacob Preston continues to impress on the edge and has been a real find for Cam Ciraldo. To beat the Sharks, they need to get on top physically early. Every side that's beaten the Sharks this year has won that physical battle early and sustained it throughout the 80 minutes, this signals to me that TPJ will want to bounce back with vengeance.
On the team front. After scoring a hat trick in his return from injury in reserve grade in Round 15, Braidon Burns comes in on the wing for Blues flyer Josh Addo-Carr. Chris Patolo is named to start at prop after being a late inclusion in the run-on side last Monday against the Eels.
Last meeting: Round 8 2023 - Bulldogs 20 Sharks 33
Who to watch: All eyes are on Nicho Hynes for one ginormous bounce back game. The unfortunate loser of the NSW halfback battle, Hynes unfortunately blew his opportunity with a disappointing performance last round, but it'll serve as motivation for the 2022 Dally M Medalist. His kicking game was null and void in Melbourne and will be on display at NRL's Bermuda Triangle on Sunday. Watch for Nicho to show Brad Fittler that he made one gigantic mistake.
After arriving on a $500,000 transfer fee. The expectations on young half Karl Oloapu have been massive and in many ways unfair. However, Oloapu has been slowly warming into the 5/8 jumper, the 18 year old has been impressive in the 3 games starting at 5/8. He's helped out Matt Burton in the kicking game and has been running the football more in the red-zone. Watch for Oloapu to shine in this one.
Favourite: Cronulla are heavy favourites for this clash with the Bulldogs. Cronulla won the corresponding match at Shark Park, and the early match at Accor Stadium.
My tip: Last week was an absolute disaster for the boys from the Shire. Anything less than a rousing bounce back victory will be a painful pill to swallow for Sharks fans. While for Canterbury, they will just want to see effort from their young chargers and a strong showing. Sharks by 18.
