Chloe Schibeci reviews Cronulla Sharks v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Here’s how the game went.
MATCH TIMELINE
| Minute | Scoring Play | Score |
| 11th | Try Sione Katoa (Sharks) | Sharks 4-0 |
| 13th | Goal Shaun Johnson (Sharks) | Sharks 6-0 |
| 27th | Will Hopoate (Bulldogs) | Sharks 6-4 |
| 29th | Jake Averillo (Bulldogs) | Scores tied 6-6 |
| 34th | Briton Nikora (Sharks) – SIN BIN | Scores tied 6-6 |
| 47th | Try Sione Katoa (Sharks) | Sharks 10-6 |
| 48th | Goal Shaun Johnson (Sharks) | Sharks 12-6 |
| 50th | Brandon Wakeham (Bulldogs) – SIN BIN | Sharks 12-6 |
| 51st | Try Sione Katoa (Sharks) | Sharks 16-6 |
| 56th | Try Kieran Foran (Bulldogs) | Sharks 16-10 |
| 57th | Goal Jake Averillo (Bulldogs) | Sharks 16-12 |
| 67th | Try Bryson Goodwin (Sharks) | Sharks 20-12 |
| 75th | Try Christian Crichton (Bulldogs) | Sharks 20-16 |
| 76th | Goal Jake Averillo (Bulldogs) | Sharks 20-18 |
MATCH SUMMARY
1st Half
While Sione Katoa scored the first try of the game nice and early, it was an otherwise even first half, with both sides sharing equal possession. Errors continued to be where Cronulla struggled, whereas the Bulldogs made the most of their possession, completing at 83 per cent. One Cronulla error gave the Bulldogs the perfect opportunity to score their first points of the game after Will Hopoate crossed the line in the 27th minute.
Briton Nikora was sin-binned with five minutes remaining in the first half; however, the Bulldogs were unable to take advantage of their opposition being one man down. After a fairly uneventful first half, the Sharks and the Bulldogs went to the sheds at six points apiece.
2nd Half
Much like the first half, the second started with another skilful try from Katoa within the opening 10 minutes. Minutes later, the Bulldogs’ Brandon Wakeham was put on report for dangerous contact on Josh Dugan. On top of that, Wakeham was put in the sin bin for repeated infringements by his team.
The Sharks took advantage of his absence, with Katoa crossing for his first career hat-trick. Though, despite the Bulldogs being one man down, Kieran Foran hit back soon after, scoring a try.
Both sides scored another try each, bringing the final score up to 20-18 in favour of the Cronulla Sharks.
GAME HIGHLIGHT
The final 10 minutes. Both sides showed incredible desperation: the Bulldogs scrambling to find a way to win, while the Sharks held on in defence to ensure their second win of the season. A try from Bryson Goodwin gave the Sharks a comfortable lead with 12 minutes remaining. However, the Bulldogs didn’t make it easy for them, attacking and scoring a try with five minutes remaining in the match, narrowing the margin to just two points.
SQUADS
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: 21. Matt Moylan, 2. Sione Kata, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Jesse Ramien, 20. Bryson Goodwin, 6. Shaun Johnson, 7. Chad Townsend, 15. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Jack Williams. Interchange: 8. Andrew Fifita, 14. Toby Rudolf, 16. Siosifa Talakai, 17. Royce Hunt.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate, 2. Christian Crichton, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 5. Jake Averillo, 6. Kieran Foran, 20. Brandon Wakeham, 8. Renouf To’omaga, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 13. Adam Elliott. Interchange: 14. Kerrod Holland, 15. Dean Britt, 16. Sauaso Sue, 17. Ofahiki Ogden.
