Cronulla's horror start to the NRL season has continued with four Sharks, including captain Paul Gallen, charged by the match review committee following Sunday's loss to the Bulldogs.

In a performance labelled "embarrassing" and "legless" by coach Ricky Stuart, Gallen has the most serious charge, grade two striking, and could miss three matches.

The skipper will miss two matches with an early guilty plea and a third if he unsuccessfully contests the charge at the NRL judiciary.

Gallen allegedly used a forearm on Bulldogs half Ben Roberts in an off-the-ball incident in the 18th minute of Sunday's 24-12 loss at ANZ Stadium.

Winger Misi Taulapapa could miss two games after being charged with dangerous contact with the legs or feet, but can escape with a one-match ban with the early plea.

Prop Kade Snowden is one of four players across the NRL charged with grapple tackles as the league's crackdown continues.

He will miss one game regardless of whether he enters the early plea or not.

The Sharks' other prop, Luke Douglas, has been charged with a grade one careless high tackle but will not need to sit out any matches.

The charges could leave the Sharks decimated for Saturday's clash with Canberra, with Trent Barrett (neck) in doubt and Ben Ross (neck) and Brett Kearney (ankle) already ruled out for the season.

Cronulla have also endured a two-match ban for half Brett Seymour for an off-field indiscretion, although he returned on Sunday.

The Sharks, who are 14th after just one win, received one piece of good news with winger Luke Covell escaping a charge for a trip.

The Wests Tigers' Rhys Hanbury, Melbourne's Cooper Cronk and Gold Coast's Brett Delaney were the other players charged with grapples.

All three can escape a ban with the early guilty plea but would miss one game if they were unsuccessful at the judiciary.

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