NRL 2026, Canterbury Bulldogs, Newcastle Knights, round 4, match preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Bulldogs v Knights: Tupouniua steps up; Sharpe back on deck

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 24 Mar 2026, 04:31 PM

The Bulldogs are out to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they return home to face the Knights on Saturday afternoon.

The match marks Canterbury's first game for the year at Accor Stadium after victories in Las Vegas and Canberra across the opening weeks of the campaign.

Captain Stephen Crichton has dominated since shifting to left centre, while halves Lachlan Galvin and Matt Burton continue to build their combination.

Edge forward Jacob Preston has taken another big step forward after a breakout season in 2025 and has emerged as an early State of Origin contender.

Canterbury are hoping for a big crowd in their first home game of the season as they take on a Knights side desperate to bounce back.

Newcastle also prevailed in Las Vegas before a big win over Manly in Round 2. The momentum came to a halt last weekend with a loss to the Warriors and Saturday's match provides another test of Justin Holbrook's rebuild.

Fullback Fletcher Hunt impressed in place of injured skipper Kalyn Ponga last week and he's set for a fascinating positional battle with Bulldogs No.1 Connor Tracey.

Up front, Jacob Saifiti and Tyson Frizell will look to lay the platform, however the loss of Trey Mooney to suspension is a major blow.

Round 4 - Round 4 - Saturday 28 Mar

4:00 am

Bulldogs

Knights

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney

WatchNRL

Team Lists Get Tickets

Team News

Bulldogs: Sitili Tupouniua moves to prop in place of Sam Hughes in the only change to the starting line-up. Hughes picked up a one-game suspension from an incident in NSW Cup last Saturday. Lipoi Hopoi and Jonathan Sua are the new faces on the six-man interchange while Jake Turpin (concussion) and Harry Hayes (delayed concussion symptoms) are unavailable.

Knights: Five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe returns from the knee injury he suffered in Las Vegas so Tyson Gamble goes to the bench. Tyson Frizell moves to prop in place of the suspended Trey Mooney with Cody Hopwood added to the bench.

Round 4 - Round 4 - Saturday 28 Mar

4:00 am

Bulldogs

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher Hunt
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Enari Tuala

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King

Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Sitili Tupouniua

Prop for Knights is number 10 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon

Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Thomas Cant
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Pasami Saulo
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Lipoi Hopoi

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Cody Hopwood
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Sean O'Sullivan

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Francis Manuleleua
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jonathan Sua

Interchange for Knights is number 18 Tyson Gamble
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Fletcher Baker

Interchange for Knights is number 19 Harrison Graham

Reserves

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Logan Spinks

Reserve for Knights is number 20 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Jack Underhill

Reserve for Knights is number 21 James Schiller
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Bronson Xerri

Reserve for Knights is number 22 Wilson De Courcey

Bronson Xerri
Fletcher Baker
Jack Underhill
Jonathan Sua
Lipoi Hopoi
Logan Spinks

Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Fletcher Sharpe
James Schiller
Wilson De Courcey

Harry Hayes
Jake Turpin
Samuel Hughes

Trey Mooney

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 3/24/2026 6:04:22 AM

Stat Attack

The Bulldogs have won their last three games against the Knights.
Knights halfback Sandon Smith will make his 50th NRL appearance.
Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has won seven from seven against the Knights.
Knights centre Bradman Best has scored seven tries in his last six games against the Bulldogs.
Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored six tries in his last six games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.