Round 2: Sharks v Bulldogs preview
AJ gives his thoughts on this weekend's meeting between the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Sharks return home looking to bite through Canterbury
After a gritty and determined season opening win in Auckland, Cronulla return to the eyesore of rugby league in PointsBet Stadium to play host to Canterbury in the first part of Friday Night Football.
Cronulla broke a 34 year hoodoo, winning their first Round 1 fixture outside of Sydney since 1990. It was one of the club's more famous victories in the regular season. After a sloppy start and a gashed middle third, Cronulla were able to weather the early Warriors ambush and score the game's final three tries to walk away deserved winners. The much talked about left edge in defence held very firm in it's first big test and Sifa Talakai delivered after an offseason of much pressure on his future as an outside back, while Nicho Hynes controlled the match well without his usual flair.
Going against the Bulldogs has seen most people chalk this up as an easy victory and given Cronulla's history against bottom eight opponents. It isn't a far gone conclusion, but these two sides have a history of gritty fixtures in recent years (excluding last season at this ground) despite Cronulla's dominance in the last five fixtures. Hynes and new 5/8 Braydon Trindall will look to solidify and build their combination once more with a game plan designed to blow the Dogs off the park early while looking to reduce a high error rate from the opening week.
Canterbury entered the season with a swag of new signings designed to bring about a cultural shift at Belmore following a wasted half-decade. The first outing against Parramatta does bring hope that things are moving in the right direction. Defensively was a low point at Belmore, but given how much defence that they had to endure in the opening 40 and only conceded four tries (1 from a kick and another from broken play). You'll have to give that a pass.
However, to beat Cronulla they will need to do better with ball in hand. They were playing panicked and rushed from the opening whistle and that led to mistakes and increasing defensive pressure. Matt Burton playing one side of the ball is absolutely criminal at this point, having Drew Hutchison there was designed to free him up to play both sides of the ball. But, at this point they need to get him involved more. They showed some great signs with the ball in the second half, especially having Kikau and Crichton combine late. If they can place early pressure on the Sharks and convert with ball in hand, they'll go close.
Josh Addo-Carr won't play after suffering an AC joint injury early in rhe game. He'll be replaced by former Shark Connor Tracey on club debut, the Fox is named in the reserves though so watch this space. Cronulla have the same 17 but make one change with Toby Rudolf pushing Royce Hunt to the bench.
Last meeting: Round 16 2023 - Sharks 48 Bulldogs 10
Who to watch: I am looking squarely at Sifa Talakai for this clash. Overcoming a leg injury to take his place, a lot of talk over summer was a potential transition into the forwards. However for the moment, Talakai has found a nice home at left centre and showed signs of his damaging best against the Warriors. He faces an even more vulnerable edge against Canterbury, load up for an anytime try-scorer because it could get ugly.
For me I am focusing solely on Matt Burton. It is an easy choice granted, but when you look at the struggles that Canterbury had in attack. It is simple that Cameron Ciraldo needs to allow him to play both sides of the football. While he was the dominant half, it was clear that he needs to get involved and run some shape out both sides of the field. Given the suspect nature of the Sharks left edge, that'll be the first port of call.
Favourite: Cronulla are heavy favourites for this one.
My tip: Let's keep it short and sweet. Cronulla should dominate at the Bermuda Triangle. It is their fortress, their home ground and the score should be convincing. After their attacking shape at times in Auckland, there was a lot to be desired so expect a big bounceback. Sharks by 20.
