Dragons v Bulldogs: Atkinson settles in; Xerri's fresh chance
The Bulldogs will put their finals hopes on the line when they take on the resurgent Dragons at Allianz Stadium.
Plenty has changed since the two teams opened the season in Las Vegas, with Canterbury skipper Stephen Crichton kicking a golden point field goal to deliver his side a memorable victory.
Since then, the captain has shifted from centre to five-eighth and the Bulldogs have found their rhythm with Crichton partnering Lachlan Galvin in the halves.
The late-season rise has hit a stumbling block in the past fortnight, with Canterbury dropping their last two games to fall out of the eight.
Cameron Ciraldo's side must now win at least two of their final three games and hope other results go their way to play finals football.
Standing in their way this week is a Dragons side that has claimed back-to-back victories and is desperate to avoid the wooden spoon.
St George Illawarra held on to edge the Tigers last weekend, with a promising crop of young forwards getting better with each week.
Hamish Stewart has rocketed into Australian World Cup contention, while prop Loko Pasifiki Tonga is sending a message up front.
Match: Dragons v Bulldogs
Round 25 -
home Team
Dragons
17th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
9th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Dragons: No changes on game day. With Emre Guler granted an immediate release this week to join Wakefield Trinity, Toby Couchman will start at prop with Josh Kerr and Blake Lawrie coming off the bench. Skipper Clint Gutherson is set to miss the final three games with a knee injury so Dean Young sticks with last week's winning formula with Dan Atkinson at fullback and Mat Feagai on the wing. Winger Tyrell Sloan has scored eight tries in his last eight games.
Bulldogs: One more change on game day, with Enari Tuala omitted due to a knee injury with Jonathan Sua coming on to the wing. With Jethro Rinakama out for the rest of the season after suffering knee and ankle injuries, Enari Tuala had been pushed out to the wing and Bronson Xerri to start in the centres. The new face on the bench is utility Sean O'Sullivan, chasing his first NRL action since Round 20 when he starred against Wests Tigers at five-eighth. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update.
Match: Dragons v Bulldogs
Round 25 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Daniel AtkinsonFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew FeagaiWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses SuliCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Matt Burton
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine HolmesCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Bronson Xerri
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Tyrell SloanWinger for Bulldogs is number 22 Jonathan Sua
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Lyhkan King-TogiaFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Stephen Crichton
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle FlanaganHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Loko Jnr Pasifiki TongaProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
-
Prop for Dragons is number 15 Toby CouchmanProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Dylan Egan2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Hamish Stewart2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
-
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Ryan CouchmanLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Damien CookInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Jacob HalangahuInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Jacob WebsterInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Alekolasimi Jones
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Josh KerrInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jake Turpin
-
Reserve for Dragons is number 18 Setu TuReserve for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran
-
Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Blake LawrieReserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Sean O'Sullivan
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dragons are chasing three consecutive wins for the first time since Round 2, 2023.
- The Bulldogs have won their last six games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have conceded 237 points in five straight losses at Allianz Stadium.
- The Bulldogs have won only two of their last nine away games.
- Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan has scored eight tries in his last eight games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
