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If the Bulldogs had played a better first half they might've given the Roosters a much greater scare last week.

They should take confidence from their second-half performance and will be looking to cause a boilover on Saturday at Bankwest Stadium.

Winning seven straight games in the NRL is no walk in the park and it's not all that surprising the Panthers couldn't extend the streak to eight against Canberra.

It'll be interesting to see how they react to their first loss in two months against a team they're expected to beat.

The Rundown

Team news

Bulldogs: No changes from last week as coach Dean Pay keeps faith in the 17 who pushed the premiers all the way in a 20-12 loss on Sunday. Brandon Wakeham and Ofahiki Ogden were omitted 24 hours before kick-off, while Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Jayden Okunbor were the last players cut before kick-off.

Panthers: No panic for Ivan Cleary despite the winning run ending at seven on Sunday. The same 17 players will take the field this weekend with the only slight change being Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin switching places in the back row. Jed Cartwright and Hame Sele dropped out of the extended squad on Friday, while Spencer Leniu and Stephen Crichton were omitted an hour before kick-off.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
    Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Nick Meaney
    Winger for Panthers is number 2 Josh Mansour
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Kerrod Holland
    Centre for Panthers is number 3 Dean Whare
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Will Hopoate
    Centre for Panthers is number 4 Brent Naden
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Reimis Smith
    Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Jack Cogger
    Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 James Maloney
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Lewis
    Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Aiden Tolman
    Prop for Panthers is number 8 James Tamou
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Michael Lichaa
    Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Dylan Napa
    Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Liam Martin
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Harawira-Naera
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Frank Winterstein
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Adam Elliott
    Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jeremy Marshall-King
    Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Wayde Egan
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Renouf Atoni
    Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Jarome Luai
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Danny Fualalo
    Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Moses Leota
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Chris Smith
    Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ben Cummins
  • Referee: Belinda Sharpe
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram

Last updated:

Key match-up

After a sub-par start to the year, fullback Dylan Edwards has been sensational recently as the Panthers have found their groove. He is up against former team-mate Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who has a point to prove at the back given he wasn't seen as a genuine custodian by the Panthers.

For the Bulldogs to win

Dean Pay has to focus on what his side did right in the second half against the Roosters and pick up where they left off in terms of defending strongly and looking for areas to exploit in attack. If they can get away to a good start it could stir the Panthers into panic mode.

For the Panthers to win

They had grand plans to send the Raiders packing last Sunday and were clearly frustrated that things didn't work out as they'd hoped. But it's their first loss in eight games and Ivan Cleary won't be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. If the forwards leave their mark it should allow Nathan Cleary and James Maloney to create ample scoring chances.

Brett Kimmorley says

The Dogs make everyone fight to beat them. The unfortunate thing for Canterbury is that if Penrith get to 20 points you can’t see Canterbury winning. It is going to be a grind for Penrith but the Bulldogs’ struggles in attack put this in the Panthers’ favour. Panthers by 8

Stat Attack

James Maloney is a born winner, but there's one glaring blight on the Penrith playmaker's record. He has the unwanted honour of sitting atop the most penalties conceded category in 2019, earning the referees' ire an average of 1.3 times per match.

And another thing ...

A couple of ex-Panthers will be relishing their first clash with their former team-mates on Saturday night. Back-rower Corey Harawira-Naera left the Panthers to join the Doggies in the off-season, while fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak signed with the Dogs in June after being granted a mid-season release from Penrith.

 

Acknowledgement of Country

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs respect and honour the Darug and Eora nations, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.