Cronulla Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo endured a vicious hit to the face while scoring a try in the NRL Magic Round opener against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

The Painful Try

The Sharks struck early, with Braydon Trindall crossing for the first try in the fifth minute. Moments later, Mulitalo sprinted down the right flank and grounded the ball to extend the lead. As he did so, Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey lunged desperately, striking Mulitalo squarely in the face.

Mulitalo writhed in agony on the turf immediately after the score, highlighting the severity of the impact. Officials in The Bunker reviewed the late challenge and awarded an eight-point try to the Sharks.

Nicho Hynes missed the conversion from a tough angle but added the extra two points, helping establish a strong position for his team.

Sharks Dominate Match

Cronulla built a commanding 30-6 halftime lead, overwhelming the Bulldogs throughout. They secured a 38-16 victory, climbing to sixth on the NRL ladder.

Key Context for Players and Teams

The game marked Mulitalo’s return from an ACL injury recovery, turning a personal milestone into a winning performance despite the knock.

The Bulldogs’ struggles persist, suffering their fifth straight loss and seventh defeat in 10 games. This leaves them in a tough spot to reach the finals after a semi-final appearance last season.