A first-half hat-trick for Will Kennedy and a Nicho Hynes masterclass has helped the Sharks to a 33-20 win over a “gritty” and undermanned Bulldogs outfit at Accor Stadium.

Bulldogs halfback Matt Burton’s classy offload put over a charging Corey Waddell in the 67th minute to bridge the margin to 10 and make things interesting late.

However, the Sharks managed to keep them at bay and run out 13-point winners to record their fifth win of the season.

The Bulldogs opened the scoring through a Matt Burton penalty goal right in front after the playmaker was hit late.

But the Sharks didn’t waste any time to record points of their own, as Kennedy backed up and got on the end of a Briton Nikora inside ball and scooted 20 metres to score untouched.

It was Kennedy again two minutes later, when the fullback tracked a Nicho Hynes bomb perfectly, outmarking opposite number Hayze Perham five metres out and going over for his second.

“The Bulldogs are shellshocked,” Fox League’s Greg Alexander said.

The Bulldogs hit back after the early Kennedy double in the 19th minute with a try through Braidon Burns in the corner.

On return from injury he finished off a good-looking passage of play by the Canterbury-Bankstown backline.

Unfortunately for the Dogs, they couldn’t capitalise on their momentum as Kennedy sliced through some very ordinary defense to complete his hat-trick.

The Bulldogs continued to make simple errors throughout the first half but the Sharks were unable to take advantage.

Instead, the Bulldogs ensured the second-half would be much-watch viewing as young winger Declan Casey did well to reel in a less-than-perfect pass and stylishly ground the ball in the corner to give the Bulldogs life.

The Sharks were quick to get the ball rolling in the second half, scoring through Matt Moylan.

Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo tapped down a “pinpoint” Nicho Hynes kick and found a wide open Moylan who crossed for one of the easier tries he will score.

“That was a classy bit of play,” Dan Ginnane said.

Much like the first half, the Bulldogs continued to shoot themselves in the foot with basic errors, spoiling their determined efforts in keeping it close with the Sharks.

Nicho Hynes would make them pay, putting over Sione Katoa for an easy try in the corner and again nailing the conversion as the Sharks went ahead 30-14 after 56 minutes.

Waddell’s 67th minute try would ensure an entertaining finish, but the Sharks proved too classy.

A Hynes penalty goal and a “strange” field goal that ricocheted off the hand of Reed Mahoney and then the upright before going through, increased the final margin to 13.

KENNEDY REWARDS CRONULLA’S FAITH

Eight days ago, Will Kennedy penned a two-year contract extension that would keep him at the club until the end of 2025.

The club wanted to reward the fullback’s career-best form, who entering the game against the Bulldogs, had scored six tries and recorded 118 running metres a game.

Kennedy was on fire early against the Bulldogs, recording the rare feat of a first half hat-trick, all in a lightning quick 23 minutes.

“That’s a hat-trick for Will Kennedy, and he’s done it in three different ways,” Fox League’s Dan Ginnane said.

The second of Kennedy’s tries was particularly impressive, leaping up to snare a bomb, stealing it from the grasp of opposition number Hayze Perham.

Kennedy’s running mate, Nicho Hynes (more on him later), paid testament to his fullback after the game.

“He’s outstanding Will. He doesn’t get the raps he deserves,” Hynes said on Fox League.

“He’s such a humble, quiet kid who just wants to work hard. I think if he keeps growing with his confidence, he can be a top-line fullback in this league.”

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon also sung Kennedy’s praises post-game.

“Some of the other stuff he did, when they (Bulldogs) were coming was what impressed me,” Fitzgibbon said.

“He was diffusing bombs, and getting the defensive line organised, chasing kicks and making tackles. He was everywhere.”

Kennedy finished the clash with 122 running metres, two tackle breaks and 12 points to his name in an impressive display.

SIXES AND SEVENS

 

It’s going to take a lot more than simply changing jersey numbers to fix Canterbury’s attack.

Cameron Ciraldo made the call to put the No.7 on Matt Burton’s back for just the second time in his career in a bid to give him more responsibility, but the move didn’t achieve much as the former Panther struggled to get involved.

Burton had just one run for seven metres in the opening hour, while halves partner Kyle Flanagan didn’t do much better as the Bulldogs repeatedly shot themselves in the foot with sloppy errors.

The halfback came to life when the game was effectively over, setting up a Corey Waddell try with what looked to be a forward pass, but it was too little too late.

It was the most points they’d scored since Round 3, but the calls will grow louder for the former Bronco-turned Bulldog Karl Oloapu to make his debut in an attempt to light up what at times is a stagnant looking attack.

HYNES SHINES IN SECOND HALF CLINIC

Nicho Hynes may have played second fiddle to hat-trick hero Will Kennedy in the first half, but the reigning Dally M winner took command in the second forty minutes.

Hynes was prolific in the second stanza, recording two try assists, two line break assists and a personal haul of 13 points for the game, including the match-sealing penalty and field goal in the final minutes.

His pinpoint kick to Ronaldo Mulitalo set up a soft Matt Moylan try. He then put over Sione Kiota with a lovely ball, making it look easier than it was.

Hynes wasn’t just impactful in attack, but on the defensive side as well, delivering a textbook legs tackle on Declan Casey to save a potential try midway through the second half.

“Nicho Hynes does it defence as well...He’s made a couple of key tackles on defence tonight,” Ginnane said.

Hynes is one of the leading contenders to wear the No.6 jersey for Brad Fittler’s Blues side alongside incumbent Jarome Luai and Cody Walker.

The Sharks are once again a serious threat for the premiership this season, and their leading man has looked dangerous as ever in his bid to earn an Origin debut.

Speaking after Cronulla’s win, Fitzgibbon said his playmaker was “ready” for his NSW debut.

“I’ve said it a few times but I know he’s ready. Big moments, big occasions don’t scare him,” Fitzgibbon said.

“He’s fearless in the way he plays, maybe too fearless, but if he gets his opportunity, you know he’s going to take it.”