Wests Tigers v Bulldogs: Leilua returns to bubble; DWZ left out
There's always a silver lining when two teams with 1-5 records over their past six matches meet – the run of outs will end for one of them.
Wests Tigers are now facing an uphill task to reach the finals, while the goal from here on in for the Bulldogs is to avoid the wooden spoon.
Sunday's meeting between the two sides is one Michel Maguire's side simply cannot afford to lose.
Wests Tigers scored a comprehensive 34-6 win over the Bulldogs when the teams met in round seven at Bankwest Stadium.
Match: Wests Tigers v Bulldogs
Round 14 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
9th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
16th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Wests Tigers: Star centre Joey Leilua left the club's bubble to attend to a personal matter in Canberra, placing him in doubt for Sunday's western Sydney derby, but on Thursday night he was cleared to return to the bubble.
In a minor re-jig to the bench, Chris Lawrence joins Asu Kepaoa as the players omitted 60 minutes before kick-off.
Alex Seyfarth replaces Thomas Mikaele (knee injury) on the interchange with Shawn Blore also dropping out of the squad on Saturday.
Hooker Jacob Liddle gets his first game since a horror knee injury last year, allowing Moses Mbye to return to centre and Tommy Talau to the wing.
Luke Garner is recalled in the back row and Josh Reynolds returns on the bench following the season-ending injury to Billy Walters. Wests Tigers are aiming for two wins in a season against the Bulldogs for the first time since 2005.
Bulldogs: Reimis Smith replaces Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who was dropped by Canterbury coach Steve Georgallis. Matthew Doorey is on the bench after Chris Smith was also left out.
Kerrod Holland starts at centre for Jake Averillo, who picked up a hip injury in the loss to the Storm, while Jack Cogger replaces the suspended Lachlan Lewis at halfback.
The Bulldogs have lost their past four games at Bankwest Stadium.
Match: Wests Tigers v Bulldogs
Round 14 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Adam DoueihiFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Joseph LeiluaCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Tim Lafai
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Moses MbyeCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Kerrod Holland
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tommy TalauWinger for Bulldogs is number 17 Reimis Smith
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Kieran Foran
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Benji MarshallHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Jack Cogger
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Josh AloiaiProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Ofahiki Ogden
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Sione Katoa
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Russell PackerProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Dylan Napa
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luke Garner2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Matthew EisenhuthLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Luke Thompson
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Josh ReynoldsInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jeremy Marshall-King
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Aiden Tolman
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 20 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Sauaso Sue
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 21 Elijah TaylorInterchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Matt Doorey
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Cecchin
- Touch Judge: Gavin Badger
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Adam Doueihi v Nick Meaney. After a very tough week, Doueihi will be hoping all he has to worry about this week is rugby league.
He has proven a great pick-up from the Rabbitohs. Over the past few weeks Meaney has arguably enjoyed his best run of form since joining Canterbury.
Stat Attack
The Bulldogs have reached 20 points in a match just twice this year – both times against the Dragons. In brighter news, the Tigers have scored at least 20 points eight times.
