The Sharks have held on to defeat the Bulldogs 12-6 in a scrappy pre-season trial at Belmore Sports Ground.
Stephen Crichton only played the first 20 minutes in his unofficial Bulldogs debut but hovered on the sideline to cheer on his teammates for the remainder of the game.
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6,000 fans turned out at the Dogs’ spiritual home ground and they gave newly appointed captain Crichton a warm welcome as he ran out onto the field.
But they were silenced 13 minutes into the game when Teig Wilton cruised through a gaping hole and over the line to score the Sharks’ first points.
The Bulldogs got a chance to strike back and Bronson Xerri went painfully close to scoring until Briton Nikora chopped him down from behind with a try-saving tackle. Nikora, however, was sent to the bin for holding him down too long.
The Dogs capitalised on the one-man advantage as reigning Player of the Year — and fan favourite — Jacob Preston charged over the line and locked up scores ahead of half time.
A clunky second half from both sides halted momentum and it wasn’t until a Bulldogs error in the final 10 minutes that the Sharks got an opportunity to seal the win.
A poor pass from Bailey Hayward out of dummy-half was scooped up by Royce Hunt, who offloaded to 20-yearold Chris Vea’ila to score the matchwinner.
Both sides will be sweating on the availability of players heading into Round 1. Sharks duo Sione Katoa and Jesse Colquhoun suffered foot injuries, while Matt Burton was put on report for a high shot.
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CRICHTON’S CAPTAINCY ERA BEGINS
Fresh off being appointed club captain, Stephen Crichton made his unofficial Bulldogs debut on Friday night — and it’s what he did off the field that impressed the most.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo dropped a bombshell on Thursday when it was announced Crichton would step up as captain despite not yet playing an NRL game for the club.
The three-time premiership-winner takes over from Matt Burton and Reed Mahoney, who took care of the on-field duties, and Ray Faitala-Mariner, who was the club captain.
Crichton only played the first 20 minutes of the game as per Ciraldo’s plan. He didn’t see a lot of ball but had a statement moment in defence when he jammed out of the line to whack Will Kennedy.
The superstar centre was given an early mark but never really settled in on the bench. He was seen several times up on his feet cheering on his teammates, which caught the attention of Fox League expert Cooper Cronk.
“I like this from Stephen Crichton, since coming off in the 20th minute he has not left the sideline,” he said in commentary.
“He is standing up and applauding his team, showing good leadership. He’s up and about encouraging his team.”
It comes after Panthers legend Greg Alexander declared pre-game that appointing Crichton as captain is a “masterstroke” by Ciraldo.
“He’s only 23 but there’s something about the personality of Stephen Crichton… I think he’ll take the responsibility so seriously that he will become a better player,” Alexander said.
A PENNY FOR CIRALDO’S THOUGHTS?
You’d have to wonder if Friday’s game has left Cameron Ciraldo with more questions than answers.
The Bulldogs coach singled out Drew Hutchison pre-game as someone that has really impressed him over the pre-season due to his “footy IQ and good experience.”
Hutchison looked to be in the box seat to play halfback in Round 1 after getting the nod to start against the Sharks but he was well below his best.
The Bulldogs’ attack was sideways and clunky — and it didn’t get any better when fellow halfback hopeful Toby Sexton came onto the field.
Premiership-winning five-eighth and Fox League expert Braith Anasta said after the game that he’s “not sold” on Hutchison at halfback.
It remains to be seen whether Ciraldo is.
On the flip side, Cronk believes former Panther Jaeman Salmon is a “lock” for No.13 because he fits the “Isaah (Yeo) mould and brought that to the Bulldogs.”
SHARKS LACK POLISH
The Sharks were without their superstar halfback Nicho Hynes but other than that ran out an almost full-strength side — and still didn’t look like a team that could challenge for the premiership.
It’s hard to take a lot away from trial games and coach Craig Fitzgibbon won’t dwell on the performance but Cooper Cronk believes Cronulla’s clunkiness in attack could be a sore point ahead of Round 1.
“Not sure what to make of this second half… you can look at the positives and say the defence of both teams has dominated this contest,” he said.
“I know Craig Fitzgibbon and Cameron Ciraldo are defensive-minded coaches and will take that as a positive out of this game.
“But the handling errors, particularly the Sharks, their inability to really cause chaos and use their options with ball in hand would be a worry leading into Round 1.”
Both sides struggled with errors but the Sharks have had minimal personnel changes — especially compared to the Bulldogs — and yet looked like they had barely played together.
Thankfully Hynes is expected to overcome his minor quad niggle in time for Round 1.
TEAMS
Bulldogs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Poasa Faamausili 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Josh Curran 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Kitione Kautoga 20. Eli Clark 21. Toby Sexton 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Joash Papali’i 24. Bailey Hayward 25. Bailey Biondi-odo
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 22. Daniel Atkinson 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Kayal Iro 21. Billy Burns 23. Jayden Berrell 24. Niwhai Puru
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