Round 16 Team News: Bulldogs and Roosters to battle it out
Head Coach Cameron Ciraldo has named his side to face the Sydney Roosters.
After a thrilling 22-18 victory over the Eels in Round 14 followed by the bye at the weekend, the Bulldogs will be be back in action and gunning for their fourth straight win this season.
The Bulldogs will face the Roosters for the second time in 2024 and it is set to be a competitive battle as the Blue and White look to further cement themselves in the top eight.
Match: Roosters v Bulldogs
Round 16 -
home Team
Roosters
4th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
8th Position
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Josh Curran, cleared to return from HIA protocols, moves to the starting line-up to replace the injured Jacob Preston. Preston remains side-lined with a foot injury (soft tissue) sustained in the Round 14 clash. Bailey Hayward is also clear to return, slotting back in at lock.
Captain Stephen Crichton drops out of the squad due to his second Origin call up for the Blues. Jacob Kiraz comes in to replace him in the centres.
Jeral Skelton will start on the wing to make his first NRL appearance of 2024. Skelton has been a standout in NSW cup this season, averaging 216 run metres per game and scoring nine tries in 11 games.
Matt Burton, omitted from the Blues squad for Game II, will look to continue his strong form against the Roosters having scored a hattrick against the tricolours in the heated Round 5 clash.
After being enacted as 18th man in the Kings Birthday match against the Eels, Jake Turpin joins the bench for this Saturday's night's battle for the two points in Gosford.
Viliame Kikau is listed in the reserves as he looks to push for a return from finger surgery.
| No. | Player | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connor Tracey | Sydney City Building Group |
| 2 | Jeral Skelton | Dental on Evaline |
| 3 | Bronson Xerri | Penny’s Crispy Pork Crackling |
| 4 | Jacob Kiraz | Juice Lab & Co Bankstown |
| 5 | Blake Wilson | Defiant Digital |
| 6 | Matt Burton | Lira Financial |
| 7 | Toby Sexton | Canterbury League Club |
| 8 | Max King | Guardian Venue Management |
| 9 | Reed Mahoney | HY-TEC |
| 10 | Sam Hughes | Intello IT |
| 11 | Josh Curran | Waterview |
| 12 | Jaeman Salmon | Zoom Energy |
| 13 | Bailey Hayward | Corellian |
| Interchange | Recovery Partners | |
| 14 | Jake Turpin | Brushwood Engineering Group |
| 15 | Poasa Fa'amausili | Khalil Lawyers |
| 16 | Kurtis Morrin | AM PM Plumbing & Electrical |
| 17 | Lipoi Hopoi | Platinum Rehabilitation Group |
| Reserves | Recovery Partners | |
| 19 | Drew Hutchison | |
| 20 | Blake Taaffe | |
| 21 | Eli Clark | |
| 22 | Harry Hayes | |
| 23 | Viliame Kikau |
| Coaching Staff | Name | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | Cameron Ciraldo | ShoeGrab |
