Bulldogs v Roosters: Katoa, Flanagan out; Suaalii given a rest
Both these teams had their backsides whacked in conceding a large number of points last weekend without scoring any themselves.
The Bulldogs allowed the Sea Eagles to rack up their biggest win in club history with a 66-0 victory last Saturday, while the Roosters went down 46-0 to the Storm.
It wasn't the Roosters' worst defeat, but it did equal their worst against Melbourne after they lost by the same margin (46-0) in June 2016.
That match was the last time the Roosters were held to zero. They also haven't lost three matches in a row all season so they won't be in a mood to let that happen this week.
For the Bulldogs any bounce-back from a hiding like Manly handed them will be welcome. Last week was the fourth time this year they've been held scoreless - Trent Barrett's men won't want a fifth against their names.
Match: Bulldogs v Roosters
Round 17 -
home Team
Bulldogs
16th Position
away Team
Roosters
5th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Bulldogs: A late change on game day with Kyle Flanagan dropping out and his place at five-eighth taken by Lachlan Lewis.
Rookie Falakiko Manu moves onto the wing with Tuipulotu Katoa left out.
Despite coach Trent Barrett's misgivings, four of the five players forced to go into COVID isolation return to the side with only playmaker Brandon Wakeham missing out.
Corey Waddell comes into the second row, Sione Katoa replaces Jeremy Marshall-King (suspension) at dummy-half, rookie Aaron Schoupp comes into the centres and Dylan Napa is in for Ava Seumanufagai (suspension) on the bench.
Joe Stimson is promoted from the interchange to partner Waddell in the second row with Jackson Topine 18th man and Matt Doorey (head knock) missing this week.
Along with Katoa, Christopher Patolo was left out 24 hours before the match.
Round 16 debutant Bailey Biondi-Odo retains the No.14 jersey while Ofahiki Ogden and Renouf Atoni have also been named on the bench.
The Bulldogs have lost seven consecutive games at Bankwest Stadium.
Roosters: The Roosters are 1-17 with no late changes.
Lock Victor Radley is back at lock after completing his suspension but dummy-half Ben Marschke has failed to make the 21-man squad. Isaac Liu moves from No.13 to the second row to take the place of Origin rep Angus Crichton.
Teen prodigy Joseph Suaalii and Naufahu Whyte were omitted 24 hours before kick-off. Tuku Hau Tapuha was the last man cut an hour before kick-off and Adam Keighran is 18th man.
Centre Billy Smith makes his first appearance since 2019 after missing last season with a knee injury while Joey Manu covers for Blues skipper James Tedesco at fullback.
Matt Ikuvalu has been recalled on the wing after being relegated to 18th man duties last week.
Drew Hutchison swaps places with five-eighth Lachlan Lam after making his return via the interchange in round 16 while Nat Butcher and rookie prop Ben Thomas replace Fletcher Baker (isolation) and Daniel Suluka-Fifita (suspended) on the interchange.
The Roosters have won their past seven games against the Bulldogs.
Match: Bulldogs v Roosters
Round 17 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Nick MeaneyFullback for Roosters is number 1 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Corey AllanWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Will HopoateCentre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Aaron SchouppCentre for Roosters is number 4 Billy Smith
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 21 Falakiko ManuWinger for Roosters is number 5 Matt Ikuvalu
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 19 Lachlan LewisFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Drew Hutchison
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Jake AverilloHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Jack HetheringtonProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Sione KatoaHooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Luke ThompsonProp for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Isaac Liu
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 17 Renouf Atoni2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh JacksonLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 12 Joe StimsonInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Lachlan Lam
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Biondi-OdoInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Dylan NapaInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Ofahiki OgdenInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Ben Thomas
Reserves
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Jackson TopineReserve for Roosters is number 18 Adam Keighran
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jake Averillo v Sam Walker: Averillo has started to find some decent form in Trent Barrett's line-up and is growing in confidence and he'll have a critical role to play if the Bulldogs are to spring an upset. His running game can cause the Roosters some headaches if the forwards can play off the front foot.
Walker has been a revelation in 2021 and continues to take the ball to the line and cop the shots as he looks to spark the Roosters attack.
Stat attack
The Roosters sit second in intercepts with eight - but the Bulldogs are no slouches in that department either, ranking equal third with seven so far this year.
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