The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs open their 2022 season on the road this Sunday night against the North Queensland Cowboys at 6:15PM (AEDT) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
It is the most anticipated start to a Bulldogs season for some time, with coach Trent Barrett finally in possession of a team he feels could gel nicely. After a tough few seasons Canterbury look set for something much better this season, the question being, just how far can that improvement take them in 2022?
Team News
Bulldogs: The dawn of a new era at Belmore with Matt Dufty, Josh Addo-Carr, Brent Naden, Matt Burton, Paul Vaughan, Max King and Braidon Burns all making their club debuts.
Burns has beaten out Aaron Schoupp for a spot in the centres.
Jake Averillo will call the shots from halfback alongside Burton, while Jeremy Marshall-King fills the vital dummy half role with Bailey Biondi-Odo backing him up from the bench.
Cowboys:Â Inspirational skipper Jason Taumalolo is back on deck after missing the trials with a minor hamstring complaint. Along with promising back-rower Jeremiah Nanai, they are the two new faces into the side which took care of the Broncos in impressive fashion in the club's final trial.
Chad Townsend, Peta Hiku and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown are set to make their Cowboys debuts.
Hiku has been named at centre, while Taunoa-Brown has completed an impressive pre-season with a starting front-row berth alongside Coen Hess.
Match: Cowboys v Bulldogs
Round 1 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Matthew Dufty
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jayden Okunbor
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine HolmesCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Braidon Burns
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta HikuCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Brent Naden
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad TownsendHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Jake Averillo
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-BrownProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul Vaughan
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 13 Jason TaumaloloProp for Bulldogs is number 23 Ava Seumanufagai
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Jack Hetherington
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 17 Tom Gilbert2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 15 Corey Waddell
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 16 Mitchell DunnLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Jackson
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 10 Coen HessInterchange for Bulldogs is number 8 Luke Thompson
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum LukiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Biondi-Odo
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Jordan McLeanInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Max King
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Jake GranvilleInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Chris Patolo
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Scott DrinkwaterReplacement for Bulldogs is number 20 Aaron Schoupp
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
The courage in the forwards remains with captain Josh Jackson and Luke Thompson looking to lead from the front, yet it is the new addition of Paul Vaughan that stand to add some much needed starch to a pack that was rarely embarrassed in 2021.
Elsewhere, Jack Hetherington and Jeremy Marshall-King will be seeking breakout seasons, yet it is in the backs where the Bulldogs will be looking to make the most significant changes.
Matt Dufty Mid-Week Press Conference: Round 1 v Cowboys
Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton, Brent Naden and Matt Dufty join Jake Averillo in a backline that Bulldogs fans are looking to see. Whilst the trials showed just how difficult it is to connect and combine immediately with so many new faces in the line-up, there is no doubt that the Bulldogs will be a better side as the season unfolds and a quick start against the Cowboys would be a great way to open the 2022 campaign.
North Queensland suffered an equally disappointing season in 2021, with a 15th placed finish barely better than the Bulldogs. Many pundits have the Queenslanders at long odds to make the finals this season and the Bulldogs as one of the big improvers, with the new talent on board, fit and ready to make a difference.
It stands to be a cracking Round 1 affair, with the new Bulldog breed hoping to make an opening statement on foreign soil and the Cowboys also looking to kick start a season they hope to be better than the one just passed.
Desperation will be a key component of this clash, with Canterbury committed to write off poor trial form and the Cowboys determined to win at home to start the year. It could well be a tight one, with a win for either team providing the most perfect start to season 2022.
Key Match-Up
Matt Dufty v Hamiso Tabuia-Fidow: Arguably two of the fastest fullbacks in the NRL, Tabuia-Fidow and Dufty have a different playing style but both are key players for their respective teams. While Tabuia-Fidow is a powerful runner with the ball, Dufty is like an extra play-maker and his combination with halves Matt Burton and Jake Averillo will be a threat for the Cowboys defence. However, the Bulldogs will need to kick away from Tabuia-Fidow as he is a danger from kick returns.
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs play their first 2022 NRL Season fixture against the North Queensland Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium this Sunday evening, kicking off at 6:15PM AEDT. Tickets are available to our Round 1 match here.