Magic Round Opener Delivers Thrilling Action
Cronulla Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo endured a vicious hit to the face while scoring a try in the opening match of the NRL Magic Round against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
The Sharks struck early when Braydon Trindall crossed for the first try in the fifth minute. Shortly after, Mulitalo received the ball on the right edge with plenty of room and sprinted to the line.
Painful Collision Seals the Try
As Mulitalo grounded the ball to boost the Sharks’ lead, Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey lunged desperately and struck him squarely in the face. Mulitalo writhed in agony on the turf following the brutal contact.
Officials in The Bunker reviewed the late challenge and awarded the Sharks an eight-point try. Nicho Hynes missed the sideline conversion but added the extra two points, helping establish a strong position for his team.
Sharks Cruise to Victory
The Sharks dominated, leading 30-6 at halftime before securing a 38-16 win. This result propelled them to sixth on the NRL ladder.
For Mulitalo, the hit paled against the challenges of his recent ACL injury recovery. Friday’s game marked his triumphant return in a winning effort.
The Bulldogs’ struggles persist, with this loss extending their skid to five straight defeats and seven in their last 10 games. They now face an uphill battle for finals contention after reaching the semi-finals last year before falling to Penrith.
