Thursday night footy: Bulldogs v Panthers

62 min: Jake Turpin is sent into the game by Cameron Ciraldo for his first NRL action of 2026.

61 min: The Bulldogs lose their captain's challenge after Enari Tuala knocks on and the blue and whites believe he was taken high by Thomas Jenkins but the bunker rules the tackle was across the chest.

59 min: Harry Hayes goes low and drives into the ribs of Isaah Yeo and forces an error as both sides' ball control goes out the window.

58 min: The Bulldogs hand it straight back when Bailey Hayward makes a mess of the pick-up at dummy half.

57 min: Three Bulldogs muscle up on Dylan Edwards and he comes up with an error to turn the ball over 40 metres out from the Dogs line.

55 min: Nathan Cleary's floating torpedo is allowed to bounce by the Bulldogs and lands in the hands of Blaize Talagi who tries to slip an offload but Lachlan Galvin intercepts.

54 min: Thomas Jenkins spills a bomb, the Bulldogs sweep to the left but Matt Burton's pass to Viliame Kikau goes astray and the Panthers are off the hook.

48 min: Concerted pressure from the Bulldogs leads to a go-ahead try for Jacob Preston courtesy of a short ball from Lachlan Galvin. The classy back-rower leaves Blaize Talagi in his wake and the Bulldogs have steadied. Matt Burton converts. Bulldogs 22-16.

Tommy gun: Jenkins now has 14 tries in six games and has scored doubles in six consecutive matches. The only other player to score doubles in six consecutive games was Alex Johnston in 2021. 

43 min: After Luke Garner is dragged down just short by a trysaver from Connor Tracey, the Panthers keep the ball alive and Nathan Cleary kicks for Thomas Jenkins' corner and the winger soars above Marcelo Montoya and brings it down for yet another try. Cleary hits the post with the conversion. 16-16

41 min: A mistake by Sitili Tupouniua in the opening set of the second half puts the Bulldogs under pressure.

Dogs are barking: Coming off two losses and missing their skipper Stephen Crichton, the Bulldogs produced their best 40 minutes since Vegas with 18 of 21 sets completed at 85 per cent, five line breaks to two, and three tries inside the first 20 minutes.

King Kikau: The Bulldogs back-rower was at his damaging best early in the game as the blue and whites stunned the unbeaten Panthers. Kikau grabbed the game's opening try and had 71 run metres to go with five tackle breaks in a timely reminder of how dangerous he can be on his night.

Half-time: The Panthers are trailing at half-time for the first time in 2026 on the back of a misfiring first half that included four errors and some uncharacteristically clunky plays from milestone man Nathan Cleary.

40 min: Nathan Cleary grubbers and Connor Tracey is forced to bat the ball dead. The Bulldogs go long with the dropout and their defence holds to take a four-point lead to the sheds.

37 min: Marcelo Montoya tries to get a pass back inside as he is going over the sideline but the ball goes forward and the Panthers are on the attack from 40 metres out.

34 min: Nathan Cleary comes up with a poor pass trying to pick up Luke Garner on the right edge and the ball rolls into touch.

32 min: Moses Leota brings the ball back from the kick-off and loses it. Knock on ruled. The Panthers challenge again and win again with Sitili Tupouniua penalised for a strip.

30 min: Nathan Cleary kicks to the corner and the ball spills free. A knock on is ruled against Penrith but they throw in a captain's challenge and the bunker finds a knock on from Marcelo Montoya. Straight from the scrum the ball goes to Dylan Edwards at first receiver and he slices through easily to post Penrith's second try. Cleary converts. Bulldogs 16-12

29 min: Kurt Mann is placed on report for a high shot on Scott Sorensen.

26 min: Thomas Jenkins makes it six games in a row scoring a try as the Panthers run the ball on the last and Casey McLean breaks the line before sending the pass on for his prolific winger to bag his 13th try of the season. Nathan Cleary converts. Bulldogs 16-6

24 min: Blaize Talagi finds space on the left and looks for an offload but throws it straight to Enari Tuala who gleefully accepts the intercept.

21 min: Sam Hughes can't be stopped from close range as Isaah Yeo goes low on the rampaging prop who stretches out to score next to the sticks. Matt Burton converts. Bulldogs 16-0.

20 min: A neat grubber from Lachlan Galvin is cleaned up by Thomas Jenkins who is tackled in-goal. The short dropout is collected by the Bulldogs and they get another shot at points.

18 min: The Bulldogs again look slick on the left and the Panthers are penalised for inside the 10 metres. The Bulldogs are living inside the red zone.

16 min: A poor kick by Nathan Cleary is easily cleaned up by Matt Burton but Bailey Hayward is penalised for being inside the 10 metres.

11 min: Jaeman Salmon and Matt Burton handle before quick hands Bronson Xerri puts Jacob Kiraz over and the Bulldogs have two early four-pointers in a stunning opening. Burton converts. Bulldogs 10-0.

10 min: Liam Martin comes up with a simple error in the ruck and the Bulldogs get another shot at points.

9 min: Casey McLean is placed on report and sent to the sin bin for a shoulder charge on Max King in the first set after the try.

6 min: Viliame Kikau at his explosive best on the left edge as he takes the ball 20 metres out and gets rid of Isaah Yeo with a big fend and crosses for his first try of the season. Matt Burton misses the conversion. Bulldogs 4-0

5 min: Connor Tracey gets across the line but an obstruction by Jacob Preston rules out the 'try' and the Panthers come away on the back of a penalty.

4 min: The Bulldogs earn a repeat set after Matt Burton gets a kick into the in-goal and Brian To'o can't make it out.

Late Mail

Bulldogs: Sean O'Sullivan is the last man to come out of the squad 90 minutes before kick-off with Jethro Rinakama added to the six-man bench in No.23.  Bronson Xerri is back for his first game since Round 1 in Vegas, taking over from skipper Stephen Crichton (shoulder). Prop Harry Hayes joins the interchange after his return from concussion was delayed last week. 

Panthers: The Panthers are 1-19 with no late changes. Three-time premiership winner Mitch Kenny is back from suspension for superstar halfback Nathan Cleary's 200th NRL game. 

Numbers Game

• The Bulldogs have won only one of their past 10 games against the Panthers.
• Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 13 tries in 15 games at Accor Stadium.
• Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored five tries in his last three games against the Panthers.
• Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary will make his 200th NRL appearance.
• The Bulldogs have conceded 126 points in four consecutive losses at Accor Stadium.