CommBank Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 16 NRL game between Canterbury Bulldogs and Cronulla Sharks. The game kicks off at 3:00 pm with Cronulla Sharks heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Cronulla Sharks game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday July 2, 2022 at 3:00 pm
Where: CommBank Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Cronulla Sharks Odds
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Cronulla Sharks Preview
Canterbury went into the representative break on a remarkable upswing, smashing Parramatta (34-4) and Wests Tigers (36-12) back-to-back after winning on two of its first 13 games. Caretaker coach Mick Potter has unlocked the Bulldogs’ scoring potential – they have averaged 27 points per game since Trent Barrett’s exit.
Jake Averillo is making a fine fist of fullback, while Jacob Kiraz and Aaron Schoupp are developing into one of the most exciting centre duos in the NRL. Josh Addo-Carr has scored 11 tries in his last nine games, but suddenly the Bulldogs have other weapons.
Cronulla is handily-placed in fourth with a 9-5 record. But the Sharks have been struggling to find their beset form over the past couple of months, picking off the low-hanging fruit (such as the Warriors and Titans in the last two rounds) but losing to Top 8 and mid-table opposition convincingly.
The Bulldogs’ 17 is unchanged, with on-fire Matt Burton expected to back up from a stellar Origin debut. The Sharks are also unchanged – Siosifa Talakai didn’t have much to do on NSW debut off the bench, while Ronaldo Mulitalo scored a great try opposite teammate Sione Katoa in his first outing for the Kiwis.
The clubs’ last four encounters were split two apiece. Last season the Bulldogs won 18-12 in Round 7 at Jubilee Oval, while Sione Katoa picked up two tries as the Sharks powered to a 44-24 win in Round 19 on the Gold Coast.
The Bulldogs’ pack has growled in recent rounds but faces a big task against the rugged Sharks engine-room. The duel between Burton and Nicho Hynes shapes as a classic. Favouring form over reputation, the Bulldogs look a decent shout to cover here.
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Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Cronulla Sharks to win at $1.38 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Sione Katoa at $8.00.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Cronulla Sharks Teams
Bulldogs team: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Corey Allan 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Tevita Pangai Junior 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Corey Waddell 16. Joe Stimson 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Declan Casey 20. Bailey Biondi-Odo 21. Jayden Tanner 22. Harrison Edwards 24. Jackson Topine
Sharks team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Aiden Tolman 15. Dale Finucane 16. Teig Wilton 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Connor Tracey 19. Braydon Trindall 20. Kade Dykes 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Lachlan Miller