Three Key Points: Round 12 v Panthers

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs face the Penrith Panthers at BlueBet Stadium on Saturday May 29, kicking off at 3pm as part of the NRL’s Indigenous Round.

Below are three things to know about the matchup:

Hetherington returns

Prop forward Jack Hetherington returns to the playing field this weekend after serving a five-week suspension. Hetherington will make his seventh appearance in the blue and white jersey since arriving at Belmore from the Penrith Panthers. The former Panther in his opening six games for the Bulldogs averaged 87 running metres and 24 tackles per game as well as averaging 47 and a half minutes per game. Jack brings plenty of energy and enthusiasm to the field and his return will provide a huge boost for the team.

The skipper is back

Captain Josh Jackson makes his return to the team after being sidelined for six weeks with a calf injury. The back-rower sustained the injury at training leading into the club’s round six clash with the Cowboys. The 30-year old has played over 200 NRL games for the club and is one of the most professional players in the squad and it was the first time throughout his career that he has missed any NRL football due to injury. He provides plenty of experience and leadership to the team and his inclusion in the squad will be a huge lift for the Bulldogs. He averages 83 running metres per game and 46 tackles as well as a tackle efficiency of 91.6% for season 2021. An inspiration and a player who will lift his teammates.

DWZ and Cotric approaching try scoring milestone

Fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and winger Nick Cotric are both one try away from 50 NRL tries. Both currently sit on 49 NRL tries and in season 2021, Watene-Zelezniak has crossed the tryline on five occasions from his eight appearances to be the club’s leading tryscorer, while Cotric has scored three tries in his first season at Belmore. The 22-year old Cotric is closing in on the milestone in his fifth season of NRL, whereas the 25-year old Kiwi International is looking to bring up the half century in his ninth season of first grade.