NRL Round 27 Match Preview: The Final Before Finals

Author: bulldogs.com.au
Timestamp: Wed 3 Sep 2025, 10:09 AM

After getting the job done against the Panthers last week the Bulldogs will be out to crank it up a gear when they host fellow title contender the Sharks on Saturday night.

The Bulldogs are locked into third spot and a trip to Melbourne in week one of the finals but the Sharks can finish as high as fourth and as low as sixth depending on other results.

NRL Match Highlights: Bulldogs vs Sharks - Round 4, 2025

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has decided against resting players ahead of the finals, with winger Jacob Kiraz the only absentee due to an ankle injury.

When these sides clashed at Sharks Stadium back in Round 4 it was the Bulldogs saluting 20-8 on the back of a Bronson Xerri double and a rollicking performance in the middle from Max King as he served notice he was ready for a Blues Origin call-up.

Connor Tracey Press Conference Round 27

Team News

Bulldogs: With Jacob Kiraz (ankle) sidelined, Enari Tuala gets the nod on the wing. Viliame Kikau (infection) is back on deck so Josh Curran reverts to the bench and Daniel Suluka-Fifita drops out.

Sharks: Centre Jesse Ramien returns after two games out with a thumb injury so Mawene Hiroti makes way. Five-eighth Braydon Trindall has been named to play despite leaving the field last Sunday with an ankle injury. Forward Oregon Kaufusi is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a calf injury.

Round 27 - Round 27 - Saturday 6 Sep

Full Time

Bulldogs

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Enari Tuala

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton

Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 18 Daniel Atkinson
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Bulldogs is number 16 Josh Curran

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse Colquhoun

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Thomas Hazelton
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Reed Mahoney

Interchange for Sharks is number 21 Oregon Kaufusi

Reserves

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Jethro Rinakama

Replacement for Sharks is number 19 Mawene Hiroti

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 9/7/2025 3:06:12 AM

Stat Attack

The Bulldogs have won eight from 10 at Accor Stadium this season.
The Bulldogs have a chance to claim their sixth win against top-eight opposition this season.
The Sharks have scored 94 points in their last two games.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored eight tries in his last five games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.