The Bulldogs bandwagon stuttered last round, with Manly halting their five-game winning streak and they will be keen to get back on track when they host the Cowboys at Accor Stadium this Saturday.
Match: Bulldogs v Cowboys
Round 27 -
home Team
Bulldogs
6th Position
away Team
Cowboys
5th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Despite starting well, they were overtaken by the Sea Eagles who took advantage of errors and laid on the points.
While they came away winners in Round 26, North Queensland were pushed hard against a Storm side that had rested 11 of their regulars, but were eventually guided to victory by the by the playmaking skills of Tom Dearden and Reece Robson.
Departing winger and the Cowboy's greatest try scorer Kyle Feldt also scored a double to help the side to a 38-30 win.
This week, Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton will return for the match after serving a one-match suspension, but they will be without centre Bronson Xerri, who has accepted a one match ban with an early guilty plea for a Dangerous Contact charge.
With both sides playing finals this year, they will be be keen to head into the opening week with forward momentum behind them, while a win will also lock in hosting rights for the opening week of finals football.
Team News
Bulldogs: Skipper Stephen Crichton returns from suspension in the centres and will partner Jacob Kiraz, with Bronson Xerri serving a one-game ban. Five-eighth Matt Burton won't play after failing a HIA last week so Drew Hutchison comes into the No.6 jersey.
Cowboys: Just the one change to the squad that downed the Storm with Thomas Mikaele back from a hamstring injury on the bench and Jaxon Purdue making way. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is in the extended squad and could be a late call-up as he looks to return from a thumb injury.
Match: Bulldogs v Cowboys
Round 27 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor TraceyFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 21 Eli ClarkWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jacob KirazCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 23 Jonathan SuaWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Drew HutchisonFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby SextonHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel HughesProp for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyre
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman SalmonLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey HaywardInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas Mikaele
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Kurtis MorrinInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Harrison Edwards
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry HayesInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Josh CurranInterchange for Cowboys is number 20 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Reserves
-
Replacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Blake TaaffeReplacement for Cowboys is number 18 Jaxon Purdue
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have won seven of their past eight games at Accor Stadium.
- The Cowboys have won six of their past eight games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have scored at least 22 points in six consecutive games.
- Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes has scored 44 points in his past two games.
- Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 11 tries in 11 games against the Cowboys.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
