Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs eager to end two-year Bill Andriske Oval hiatus with victory against Sharks

After injuries and poor handling cruelled the Dogs through their opening two losses to Nowra-Bomaderry and Kiama, Peter Leffley's side went into their first bye with a 0-2 record.

"After holding leads in each of our first two matches, we were our own worst enemies and failed to go on with it, which was disappointing because I know we're better than that," coach Leffley said.

"It stems back to our lack of ball control because as courageous as the boys have been defensively, you can't expect to win a game of footy if you're making 100 more tackles.

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"It's up to us to build pressure because you can't sit back and wait for your opponents to make mistakes in first grade - when chances present themselves, you've got to take them and unfortunately, we haven't done so yet."

With close two weeks to lick their wounds, the Bulldogs were all set to travel to Cec Glenholmes Oval on Sunday and battle premiership hopefuls Warilla-Lake South.

But mother nature had other plans and the whole competition's round four schedule was postponed until later in the year - meaning the Dogs hadn't played a game for two straight weeks.

"In all my years associated with Group Seven, I have never seen a draw like this where a team doesn't play at home until round five," Leffley said.

"But it is what it is and despite the disrupted couple of weeks, which saw our preparation for Warilla go out the window with the washed-out round, all the boys are ready to take on Shellharbour."

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Thankfully for the club, they will return to the field this Sunday, when they host fellow winless club Shellharbour - marking their first game in the top grade at Bill Andriske Oval since early 2019.

"To me, Sunday is one of the most important matches in the club's recent history, as we haven't hosted a first grade game in years," Leffley, who will be without the services of Elijah Humble and Simon Harris against the Sharks, said.

"It's crucial we put on a good show for our fans, who have been looking forward to this day for some time.

"A win on Sunday would be massive for the boys' confidence, to prove they can compete at this level, while also helping to build the club's culture back up.

"But we know it's not going to be easy against a Sharks side who is no doubt still seething following their loss to Albion Park.

"They're coming down here for one reason and one reason only and that's the two points but we can't worry about that, rather focus on what we can control.

"I've never been a coach that concentrates on the opposition because at the end of the day, it's your own play that wins you games of footy.

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"If we can complete our sets and play I know the way we're capable of, for the full 80 minutes, we can get our season back on track with a memorable win."

This first grade fixture at 3pm is just one of four clashes between the two clubs at Mollymook on the day - in which the cub will remember the late Doug Love.

Action will start at 10am with the Dogs' women's league tag clash with Wreck Bay.

Then at 11am, the first of four matches between the Bulldogs and Sharks will take place, starting with with the WLT1 game, before under 18s at 12pm and reserve grade at 1.30pm.

Elsewhere in first grade, Stingrays host Warilla-Lake South, Albion Park-Oak Flats take on Gerringong and Kiama battles Nowra-Bomaderry.