The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks rough season has continued as they fell to the last-placed Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on Saturday, April 24, at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Looking to get their season on track after a rocky first six-round, the match against the Bulldogs could've been a big turning point for the Shire club.
Following the change in coaching and the return of Shaun Johnson to the squad, the Sharks were slow to get going.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead in the first half, scoring three straight tries, despite the Sharks creating more chances throughout the match.
Will Hopoate crossed in the opening five minutes as he barged through the Sharks defence down the right-wing, just getting his arm past two defenders and over the line.
Nick Cotric then crossed for the bulldogs in the 10th minute, capitalising on a fumble from Josh Dugan off a cross-field kick.
Cotric, in his 100th match, snatched up the ball and fell into the in-goal to score.
Two fumbles over the try line by the Sharks saw their first big opportunities of the match taken away by the visitor's defence.
The Bulldogs weren't done in the first half as Nick Meaney crossed shortly after.
A slowed up pass out the back allowed Meaney to go one on one, breaking through the Sharks tackle and crashing over the line.
A dangerous tackle from Siosifa Talakai spelt trouble from the Sharks as he was going for a 10-minute stint in the sin bin, but they held tough as they went into the break 18-0
The Sharks were the first to scratch in the second half as Blake Brailey toed through a short kick from dummy-half off the post and grounded it.
A beautiful team try, finished by Chad Townsend, gave the Sharks fans something to cheer about, but it was called back for an obstruction.
Still on the hunt, the Sharks thought they were over again, this time down the left wing with an acrobatic finish from Connor Tracey, but again it was disallowed as his foot went into touch.
It wasn't until the 75th minute that the Sharks crossed for their second.
Some perfect ball through hands play saw winger Mawene Hiroti finally crossover in the corner.
The Sharks nearly managed to equalise in the final seconds as they were on the Bulldogs try line, but they could not cross as the siren sounded, going down 12-18.
Next week they will face the Melbourne Storm on Friday, April 30, at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
The undermanned Sharks will be without Siosifa Talakai, who is set to miss four matches after accepting an early guilty plea on his dangerous tackle from Saturday.
However, the match will have captain Wade Graham and prop Aiden Tolman return to the field.
The Sharks team to face the Storm: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Will Chambers 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Connor Tracey 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Toby Rudolf 14. Teig Wilton 15. Braydon Trindall 16. Jack Williams 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Matt Moylan 19. Billy Magoulias 20. Franklin Pele 21. Josh Dugan
Finn Coleman
I understand the importance of community news in highlighting stories that members of local communities care about - including events, businesses, sports and the people that make towns unique. Email me at finn.coleman@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0437 550 909
I understand the importance of community news in highlighting stories that members of local communities care about - including events, businesses, sports and the people that make towns unique. Email me at finn.coleman@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0437 550 909
