The Bulldogs and Sea Eagles renew acquaintances in a knockout semi-final just a fortnight after the boys from Brookvale produced an arguable season's-best performance to get the better of Cameron Ciraldo's men in Round 26.
Canterbury, down on troops, followed that up with a loss to the Cowboys in Round 27 but Manly's defeat at the hands of the Sharks means the Blue and Whites' first finals match since 2016 will be played on home soil at Accor Stadium.
Prior to the last two rounds, the Bulldogs had won five on the trot, while Manly arrive in the finals having lost three of their past six matches, including a shock loss to wooden spooners Wests Tigers in Round 25.
Both sides are set to welcome back big names for the sudden-death clash with Matt Burton (concussion) and Bronson Xerri (suspension) on track for the Bulldogs and Tom Trbojevic ready to return from a shoulder injury for Manly.
Match: Bulldogs v Sea Eagles
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Bulldogs
6th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
In five previous finals meetings between the sides, the Bulldogs have won four, including the 1995 Grand Final when they started huge underdogs but got home 17-4 on the back of a brutal forward pack and some Jim Dymock magic.
This promises to be a classic showdown between two superb attacking sides who will give the ball plenty of air and look to light up Accor Stadium in a bid to keep their Premiership dream alive for another week.
Team News
Bulldogs: Winger Josh Addo-Carr has chosen to stand himself down this week. Centre Bronson Xerri (suspension), five-eighth Matt Burton (concussion) and winger Jeral Skelton (leg) are all back on deck in a triple backline boost. Jacob Kiraz slides back to the wing after playing centre last week. Blake Taaffe is 18th man.
Sea Eagles: The return of fullback Tom Trbojevic from a shoulder injury sees Tolu Koula revert to the centres and Tommy Talau move back to the wing. Clayton Faulalo goes to 18th man. Forwards Toafofoa Sipley and Corey Waddell are among the reserves along with back-up hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong.
Match: Bulldogs v Sea Eagles
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor TraceyFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Tommy Talau
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jeral SkeltonWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby SextonHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel HughesProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Matthew Lodge
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Karl Lawton
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman SalmonLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey HaywardInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Ben Trbojevic
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Kurtis MorrinInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Josh Aloiai
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry HayesInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Josh CurranInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan Brown
Reserves
-
Replacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Blake TaaffeReplacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Clayton Faulalo
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs will play their first finals match since 2016.
- The Sea Eagles have won 10 of their past 11 games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have won four of their five finals matches against the Sea Eagles.
- The Sea Eagles will play their 100th finals match.
- Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
