Wests Tigers v Bulldogs: Reinke joins bench; Roberts makes return
The final game of Round 9 sees one of the competition's biggest improvers in Wests Tigers take on a Bulldogs side searching for a response after a difficult Round 8.
Wests Tigers beat Newcastle 27-26 in dramatic fashion, while Canterbury was comprehensively beaten 48-4 by Canberra.
Wests Tigers have become one of the feel-good stories of 2026. This year, under coach Craig Sandercock, the team have developed resilience, attacking confidence and an ability to win tight contests.
Raecene McGregor's match-winning field goal last week was the latest example of a side refusing to panic under pressure.
The Bulldogs face a significant challenge after being overwhelmed by the Raiders. Canterbury struggled to contain Canberra's attack and will need to improve defensively to compete with an in-form Tigers outfit.
A strength of Wests Tigers has been their ability to generate points from multiple players across the field.
Their support play and second-phase attack have troubled opposition defences, while their confidence continues to grow with each win.
Match: Wests Tigers v Bulldogs
Round 9 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
3rd Position
away Team
Bulldogs
8th Position
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Wests Tigers: A few shuffles for the side after posting a thrilling one-point win off the boot of Raecene McGregor last week. Shenai Lendill has again been named to start at centre, moving last week's late call-up Kayla Henderson to the reserves. Other changes see Shaniece Monschau come from the bench to start at prop, moving Christian Pio to the interchange. Tara Reinke is the new face on the bench. Centre Rikeya Horne has been named in the extended squad but at this stage is unlikely to play.
Bulldogs: A stable line-up for the Bulldogs as they prepare for the battle of the Western Sydney. Young gun Evelyn Roberts returns to the bench, shifting Ebony Prior to the reserves. The only other change sees Monica Tagoai come in as 18th player.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Caitlin TurnbullFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Andie Robinson
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Harmony CrichtonWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Bridget Hoy
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Portia BourkeCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Daynah Nankivell
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Shenai LendillCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Simina Lokotui
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Lily RoganWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Elizabeth MacGregor
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Losana LutuFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Ashleigh Quinlan
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Raecene McGregorHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Tayla Preston
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah TogatukiProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Kalosipani Hopoate
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Salma NourHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Mary-Jane Taito
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Shaniece MonschauProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Alexis Tauaneai
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kezie Apps2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Leilani Wilson
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Shaylee Bent2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Pauline Suli-Ruka
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Holli WheelerLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Faythe ManeraInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Evelyn Roberts
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Tara ReinkeInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Paea Uilou
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Christian PioInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Hope Millard
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Brooke TalatainaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Latisha Smythe
Reserves
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Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tyla AmiatuReplacement for Bulldogs is number 18 Monica Tagoai
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Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 19 Kayla HendersonReserve for Bulldogs is number 19 Ebony Prior
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Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Jetaya FaifuaReserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Ma’atuleio Fotu-Moala
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Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Vasaliva FeletiReserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Giovanna Suani
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Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Rikeya HorneReserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Moana Courtenay
Wests Tigers Ins
- Jetaya Faifua
- Rikeya Horne
- Tyla Amiatu
- Vasaliva Feleti
Bulldogs Ins
- Evelyn Roberts
- Giovanna Suani
- Moana Courtenay
- Monica Tagoai
Wests Tigers Outs
Bulldogs Ins
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory
- Bulldogs winger Simina Lokotui has scored seven tries in her last six games
- Tigers halfback Raecene McGregor is the leading NRLW points scorer after eight rounds
- The Bulldogs have conceded 138 points in their last four games
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
