Pregame Notes: Round 16 v Sharks

After both being on the wrong side of lopsided scorelines last week, the Bulldogs and Sharks meet in the final game of Round 16 seeking a bounce back. 

The Sharks had no answer for what the Storm threw at them in a 54-10 loss last week, in what was their biggest defeat since Round 9 of 2021, and Craig Fitzgibbon's men are now looking to avoid suffering three-straight losses for the first time since that season as well. 

The Bulldogs meanwhile were blown away by the Eels in the first half of a 34-12 loss last Monday, which leaves them winless since Round 12. 

The Sharks have won four-straight against the Dogs – including a 33-20 victory back in Round 8 of this year – and all up have lost against Canterbury-Bankstown just twice since 2015. 

Unlike last year when they won nine of 11 games at PointsBet Stadium, the venue hasn't been much of an advantage in 2023 for Cronulla, with losses in three of five there so far. 

Team News

Sharks: 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, with Royce Hunt 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.

Bulldogs: Still no sign of forwards Raymond Faitala-Mariner (illness) or Luke Thompson (foot), who were rated chances of returning this week. 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.