The approacher had better be aware, as this coming Sunday at Mollymook Oval, the pugnacious locals have a good opportunity to topple Group Seven first grade co-leaders Shellharbour Sharks.

For those in the know, these last three games before the end of the first round and the following three games into the second-round are critical for the leading teams, as they allow the winners of these games a chance to secure a near-permanent place in the run-up to the semi-finals.

A mammoth crowd is expected to cram into Mollymook Oval this Sunday to witness this vital encounter and spectators are asked to arrive early.

The occasion gives rise to the Dogs’ ability to rise above all their injury woes, work together and maybe they can turnaround their fortunes and wrest back the momentum they previously had at the start of the season.

Encouraging for the Bulldog army will be the return of captain Nic Goodman opposing the Sharks menacing hooker Kiran Tranter.

Bulldog coach Brendan Fernley’s headaches continue this week in determining how to reign-in the Sharkies ever-dangerous playmaker and halfback Matt Carroll.

Still in fourth-place, the Dogs have their backs firmly pressed against the wall and will have to be smarter if they are to boost their chances, whereas the Sharks will still have to circle carefully, as such contests like this can be flaunt with danger.

However, the Sharks have showed good recent form after flogging reigning premiers Jamberoo 42-nil last round with Michael Cronin Medal winning halfback Carroll dominating, with a brilliant kicking game that saw dangerous fullback Jason Gray score two tries from eight.

With a feast of rugby league on display, the second-placed Bulldogs women’s league tag team, for the first time, will play the curtain-raiser against fourth-placed Shellharbour Sharkies starting at 1.45pm.

Presently, Kiama (10) lead the WLT competition from Milton and Jamberoo (8) with Stingrays (6) and Sharks (4) among the contenders. 

The Reserve grade match between the Dogs and the Robertson Spuddies should be entertaining at 12.15pm while competition co-leaders Milton-Ulladulla under 18s have the breakfast game against the Gerringong Lions, starting at 10.45am. 

Bulldogs’ Tyler Clark, Cheyanne Hatch, Olivia Patterson and Tanika O’Brien, will all back up on Sunday after playing for Illawarra South Coast on Saturday.