‘What is going on?’: Bulldogs and Sharks clash as rival players make it personal in fiery trial ‘feud’

Just a trial?

Try telling the Bulldogs and Sharks — or extra particularly Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jake Averillo — that.

The pair have been engaged in a working battle within the first half of Sunday’s trial, with tempers boiling over within the latter phases of the opening interval.

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Both groups got here collectively after Mulitalo fielded a Matt Burton kick inside his in-goal space, with Averillo sliding in and amassing his Sharks rival.

There was nothing untoward in Averillo’s actions in accordance with the officers, with the Bulldog not penalised, however that didn’t cease the Sharks from taking exception to the transfer.

“Here we go, they’re at it again,” mentioned Michael Ennis as the 2 groups clashed.

“Here’s Mulitalo, seconds down round three or is it round four? Here he is and Katoa joins the action as well,” added Warren Smith in commentary.

“What is going on with these Sharks wingers? Mulitalo and Averillo, the first-half feud continues. It was a nice kick by Burton, Mulitalo did a nice job to read it, slides in and he’s not happy. He says the knee has come in.

“They need to keep their heads here,” mentioned Ennis.

“It’s a trial game in all honesty.”

But there was loads of the road for the Sharks — $100,000 to be precise — nonetheless within the working for the pre-season problem’s high prize in the event that they scored sufficient bonus factors.

And Cronulla took a step in the direction of doing simply that when Nicho Hynes put up a kick and Mulitalo got here down with it, getting the “last laugh” as Smith put it.

“He goes up above everybody and the weight on the kick was perfect,” Smith mentioned.

“It took the defence out of play. The timing was delicious. Watch this again from Nicho Hynes, what a star he is.”

“Won’t he get some enjoyment out of that Ronaldo,” added Ennis.

“He’s been up in the face, roaring all first half in the battle with Jake Averillo and doesn’t he enjoy it.”