Sharks not taking wounded Bulldogs lightly despite horror injury toll

The bookmakers are convinced the Bulldogs can’t win, but the Sharks’ coach is adamant his side isn’t taking Saturday’s game lightly.

Nicho Hynes and the Sharks will start as hot favourites against a Bulldogs side which has been hit hard by injuries. Picture: NRL Photos

It looks like one of the easier games of the round to pick a winner on paper, but Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon says his side isn’t taking Saturday’s match against the injury-ravaged Bulldogs lightly.

The Bulldogs are languishing in 15th spot and battling one of the worst injury lists in the competition, which is why the bookies are backing the Sharks to feast on them this weekend.

Jacob Kiraz is the latest Bulldogs player to go down with injury. Picture: Matt King / Getty Images

But Fitzgibbon refuted claims his side would approach this game any differently after its gritty win over the Roosters last week when they were the outsiders at home.

The Sharks have been indifferent this year, but one thing they’ve done well since Fitzgibbon took over is knocking off the teams below them on the ladder.

A lot was made of their kind draw last year, but the pleasing thing was they didn’t get complacent, winning 14 of their 15 matches against teams which missed the top eight.

That included two wins over the Bulldogs by a combined score of 34-6.

The Sharks have vowed to show the Bulldogs the same respect they gave the Roosters last week. Picture: Matt King / Getty Images

“I think every game in the NRL is difficult,” the Cronulla coach said.

“We always respect our opponent, no matter where they sit on the ladder.

“Injuries to a side can create a spirited performance from other guys. While they might have a number of guys out, there are still a number of good players in there.

“We’re totally committed to this contest, so we won’t be turning up assuming anything other than a tough game.”

While the teams are evenly matched in the middle, the Sharks have a clear advantage out wide, which is music to the ears of Origin hopeful Nicho Hynes.

The Dally M Medal winner missed the start of the year with a calf complaint but has returned in style with seven try assists in three games, including a couple of big plays to get his side home against the Roosters.

Nicho Hynes is battling with Jarome Luai and Cody Walker for the NSW No.6 jersey. Picture: Paul Kane / Getty Images

It’s why Hynes is in the mix to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves for the Blues, and while Fitzgibbon is confident his playmaker can get the job done, he wants to make it clear he has no influence on who gets picked despite playing for the Blues and then serving as an assistant to current coach Brad Fittler.

“It’s definitely not my role or job to select the team, but I think he’s capable of it and I think he could handle it,” he said.

“There’s a lot of good competition for spots in the NSW squad at the moment.”