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The Cowboys have closed to within three wins of Penrith at the top of the table and will look to continue their momentum when they tackle the in-form Bulldogs in Bundaberg.

Having put the Dragons to the sword on Sunday, Todd Payten's men turn their focus to a danger game against a Bulldogs outfit riding high on the exhilarating form of Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr.

With wins in four of their past six matches the Bulldogs are serving notice they'll be a premiership force in 2023 but before that they can play spoiler for finals contenders the Cowboys, Eels and Sharks in coming weeks.

A carnival atmosphere is guaranteed at Bundaberg's Salter Oval and fans are in for a treat with both sides playing expansive and entertaining footy in recent weeks.

Sportsbet Betting preview: Bulldogs v Cowboys

The Rundown

Team news

Bulldogs: Bulldogs remain 1-17 one hour before kick off. Raymond Faitala-Mariner is set for a late call-up after missing Round 20 with a rib injury. Coach Mick Potter initially named the same 17 from last weekend's defeat of the Titans but Faitala-Mariner was promoted to the bench when the squad was trimmed to 19 players 24 hours before kick off, with Harrison Edwards shifting to the reserves.

Cowboys: No late changes on game day for the Cowboys. Winger Kyle Feldt is out with a hamstring injury and his place is taken by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Veteran Jake Granville is the new man on the bench. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Jake Averillo
    Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
    Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Aaron Schoupp
    Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Braidon Burns
    Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
    Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
    Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
    Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
    Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
    Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul Vaughan
    Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Coen Hess
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tom Gilbert
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jackson Topine
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 23 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
    Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Tevita Pangai Junior
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Zach Dockar-Clay
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Reuben Cotter
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Joe Stimson
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Luciano Leilua
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Chris Patolo
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 16 Harrison Edwards
    Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Brendan Elliot

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Key match-up

Matt Burton v Tom Dearden: Both men made their Origin debuts in 2022 and have returned to their club sides full of confidence. Burton's kicking game has been instrumental in Canterbury reviving 'The Entertainers' tag and his try assist tally stands at 12, while Dearden has come up with 11 try assists and 10 line break assists. Watch for Burton's towering torpedo kicks and deft cross field kicks for a flying Josh Addo-Carr and watch for Dearden's explosive speed off the mark as these two gifted No.6s look to put on a Sunday afternoon show in Bundaberg.

Stat Attack

Bulldogs forward Tevita Pangai jnr leads the NRL in offloads with 43 while team-mate Max King is also in the top 10 with 29 offloads. Winger Murray Taulagi is the Cowboys' leading offloader with 26 in his 18 games.

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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