NRLW: Bulldogs Stun Finals-Bound Sharks

Cronulla had a chance to take a big step towards a home semi-final with a victory; however, they were out-enthused by a determined and energetic Canterbury side. 

The Bulldogs were physical and gritty throughout the first half before a five-minute burst after the break blew the game wide open. The Sharks had plenty of fight, but it was Co-Captain Tayla Preston who sealed the win midway through the second half when she darted from dummy-half to score against her former team.

Following a tough streak of injury and losses leading into the match, and while out of finals contention, the Bulldogs NRLW side returned to Accor Stadium eager to turn their tides and finish their season well.

Andie Robinson, Holli Wheeler and Tayla Preston were spurred on by mid-week banter in the lead up to facing their former side, and their Blue and White teammates joined them with lots of energy to start the contest.

The hosts generated the better of the early opportunities, heaping defensive pressure on Cronulla and opening the scoring twenty minutes in. Moana Courtenay forced a loose pass, and it was Simina Lokotui who pounced, running 50 metres to cross first. It was the 19-year-old's first try in the NRLW, earned in just her sixth game. Tayla Preston added the extras.

The 2024 Grand Finalists were quick to return fire, with Ellie Johnston crashing over off the back of a penalty.

The Bulldogs wisely called their Captain's Challenge to protest an awarded penalty for contact in the air collecting a Tayla Preston bomb, and it was awarded in their favour. Cronulla's Cassie Staples leapt for the ball with Courtenay running through to contest it and heaping the pressure on Staples, who ultimately fumbled it.

The Bulldogs continued to build on the momentum, applying more and more pressure, and the Sharks conceded a penalty right in front of the posts. The Bulldogs took the two and extended their lead to four on the stroke of half-time (8 - 4).

The gritty contest continued into the second half, but the Bulldogs maintained the ruthless defence that the Club is renowned for.

Head Coach Brayden Williame's message at the break was clear: "Don't just hold onto the win, chase more points. Be hungry."

While Cronulla kicked off to start the second half play, it was a dream start for the Bulldogs, with the hosts rolling down the field on the back of a penalty earned by Alexis Tauaneai. Ash Quinlan once again pulled out her ball-making prowess, producing a superb cutout pass to send Elizabeth MacGregor over in the corner to make it 12-4.

Enter the 40th minute, and the Bulldogs looked comfortably in control, reaping the rewards of a physical opening half. Rolling down the field and capitalising on yet another dropped bomb, this time it's Shannon Muru who ran a superb line to crash over. The left edge had found its form, linking up with some of the side's strongest ball runners to push the lead to 18-4.

A return try from the Sharks kept them in the contest, but the Bulldogs quickly squashed any hopes of a comeback effort. A penalty late in the set put the hosts back on the attack, and Tayla Preston took full advantage. The halfback went to dummy half, threw a dummy to get past Emma Verran and overpowered Jada Taylor to score against her former club and extend the lead out to 24-8.

A loose carry by Sharks Captain Tiana Penitani in the 61st minute handed the Bulldogs yet another attacking opportunity with less than 10 minutes to run down on the clock, but fatigue had set in. The home side wasn't able to work their way back across the line, and it was Cronulla who nabbed the next points.

Chantay Kiria-Ratu produced a big hit to deny the Bulldogs at one end of the field before turning on the attack and sending Georgia Hannaway over for a try.

The margin closed to 10 with five minutes to play but the clock ran down with no further points to be added. The final score was 24-14 with the Bulldogs stunning the finals-bound Sharks to claim their first win since Round 2.

A physical first half and a five-minute burst after the break were enough to lead the Bulldogs past Cronulla to the victory. The result leaves the Sharks sitting in fourth on the ladder and at risk of missing out on a home semi-final.

For the Bulldogs, their attention turns to a Western Sydney Derby against Parramatta next Friday, to mark the final outing of their inaugural season.