Bulldogs v Titans: Casey moves to fullback; Campbell set to return
Both dangling dangerously close to the very bottom of the NRL ladder, Sunday's clash shapes as a crucial one for both the Bulldogs and Titans despite it having no bearing on the competition's top eight.
Playing at home for the fifth game in a row, the Bulldogs will look to get back to winning ways after consecutive losses to top-eight sides Cronulla and South Sydney.
The Gold Coast meanwhile put in one of their better performances of the year last week and were perhaps unlucky not to come away with the points against Brisbane in a 16-12 defeat.
The Titans won both clashes with the Bulldogs last year but have lost both of their previous two visits to this week's venue.
The Rundown
Team news
Bulldogs: Raymond Faitala-Mariner is a late inclusion in the starting 13, taking the place of Tevita Pangai who goes back to the bench. Chris Patolo comes back to the interchange while Kurtis Morrin is moved back to 18th man. With Jake Averillo sidelined due to COVID, Declan Casey will move to fullback with Aaron Schoupp coming in to the centres as he himself returns after missing last week's game due to COVID protocols. Josh Addo-Carr will return on the wing, despite spraining his ankle during last week's clash against South Sydney.
Titans: No late changes for Titans with Jayden Campbell named on the bench for his first game since Round 13 after recovering from a hamstring injury. Skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui returns to the starting side at lock and Erin Clark goes to the bench.
Match: Bulldogs v Titans
Round 19 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Bulldogs is number 3 Declan CaseyFullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazWinger for Titans is number 2 Jojo Fifita
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Braidon BurnsCentre for Titans is number 3 Phillip Sami
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 19 Aaron SchouppCentre for Titans is number 4 Patrick Herbert
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Titans is number 5 Corey Thompson
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Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Tanah Boyd
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Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle FlanaganHalfback for Titans is number 7 Toby Sexton
Forwards
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
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Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-KingHooker for Titans is number 9 Aaron Booth
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul VaughanProp for Titans is number 10 Isaac Liu
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Waddell2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
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Lock for Bulldogs is number 17 Raymond Faitala-MarinerLock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Interchange
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Tevita Pangai JuniorInterchange for Titans is number 14 Erin Clark
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Zach Dockar-ClayInterchange for Titans is number 15 Jaimin Jolliffe
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Joe StimsonInterchange for Titans is number 16 Herman Ese'ese
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Chris PatoloInterchange for Titans is number 17 Jayden Campbell
Reserves
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Replacement for Bulldogs is number 15 Kurtis MorrinReplacement for Titans is number 18 Sam McIntyre
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Key match-up
Tevita Pangai jnr vs Tino Fa'asuamaleaui: The two monsters in the middle will likely set the tone for their side on Sunday and fans can look forward to their individual battle which promises to involve plenty of heavy contact on both sides of the ball. Big Tino was restricted to 29 minutes off the bench last week after playing in Origin III but still ran for 153 metres, while TPJ averages 117 metres across the year.
Stat Attack
The Titans really don't like playing on the road and are the only team left in the NRL without a single away victory in 2022. The Gold Coast haven't won outside of Queensland since round 16 last year when they beat the Raiders in Canberra, while for their last win in New South Wales you have to go back over a year to the May 2021 victory over the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Match: Bulldogs v Titans
Round 19 -
home Team
Bulldogs
12th Position
away Team
Titans
15th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
