Sharks slip past Bulldogs despite missing Hynes to injury
Will Nicho’s availability for the season opener is a burning question for Cronulla supporters, as the star halfback was sidelined due to a quad injury. This absence thrust Braydon Trindall and Daniel Atkinson into pivotal roles to orchestrate the team. Trindall, though securing the No.6 position, displayed areas for improvement during the game, notably with an errant kick leading to an opposition score, indicating he still has developmental strides to make before the season opener.
Stephen Crichton’s brief appearance injected vigor into the Bulldogs’ performance despite his limited playing time. Canterbury fans at Belmore Stadium were electrified by his impactful tackles, although his game wasn’t flawless, as evidenced by a dropped ball and a penalty conceded. Nonetheless, his sideline presence provided motivation and support to his teammates throughout the match.
Blake Taaffe, recruited by the Bulldogs as a permanent fullback, faced a challenging evening characterized by errors and missed opportunities, particularly in handling kicks from Cronulla players. Despite slippery conditions, Taaffe’s performance lacked the precision needed for the Bulldogs’ resurgence, highlighting the necessity for improvement moving forward.
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