Bulldogs v Eels: Mahoney cleared to play; Hodgson ruled out
Canterbury and Parramatta go head-to-head in a high-pressure match on Monday given both sides sit outside the top eight and are desperate to stay within reach of playing in the finals in 2023.
The Bulldogs were unlucky in a one-point defeat to the Roosters on the Central Coast while the Eels are coming off a bye and will want to use the freshen up a chance to kick-start their momentum created in Round 13.
Both sides enjoyed a win against each other in 2022 by healthy margins with the Bulldogs thumping Parramatta 34-4 before the Eels returned serve with a 42-6 result in August last year.
With a hamstring injury ruling Nathan Cleary out of Origin II the likes of Matt Burton and Mitchell Moses could come into calculations for a state recall with strong performances on Monday.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Bulldogs v Eels
Team news
Bulldogs: Skipper Reed Mahoney will start after being declared fit to play by a NRL appointed neurological expert, while Jacob Kiraz (elbow) is also good to go. A late change an hour from kick-off sees Chris Patolo move into the starting side at prop and Max King revert to the bench. The Bulldogs will otherwise take the field as named.
Eels: Veteran hooker Josh Hodgson dopped out of the team an hour before kick-off due to a neck injury, which means Brendan Hands starts and Luca Moretti joins the bench. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (groin) returns along with Andrew Davey (concussion). Daejarn Asi will play five-eighth following the NRL on Wednesday advising that Dylan Brown is subject to a No-Fault Stand Down Condition under the NRL Rules.
Match: Bulldogs v Eels
Round 15 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze PerhamFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazWinger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake AverilloCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul AlamotiCentre for Eels is number 4 Bailey Simonsson
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Karl OloapuFive-Eighth for Eels is number 18 Daejarn Asi
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Matt BurtonHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Tevita Pangai JuniorProp for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
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Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Eels is number 15 Brendan Hands
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 16 Chris PatoloProp for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Jayden Okunbor2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Andrew Davey
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Harrison EdwardsLock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingInterchange for Eels is number 14 Ofahiki Ogden
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Khaled RajabInterchange for Eels is number 16 Matt Doorey
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Kurtis MorrinInterchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Corey WaddellInterchange for Eels is number 22 Luca Moretti
Reserves
-
Replacement for Bulldogs is number 20 Jackson TopineReplacement for Eels is number 21 Haze Dunster
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Ben Cummins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Maika Sivo leads the NRL in tryscoring with 15 from 13 matches. The Eels powerhouse has now scored 45 tries in his past 50 games.
- The Bulldogs have conceded more penalties (94) than any other team in 2023. The Cowboys are the second worst offenders with 85.
- The Bulldogs have won only three of their past 15 games against the Eels
- The Eels only have won eight of their past 10 clashes against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.
- Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 21 tries in 18 games at Accor Stadium.
- Eels coach Brad Arthur will surpass Brian Smith’s record of 243 games at the helm of the club.
- The Bulldogs have won their past three games played on the June long weekend.
Match: Bulldogs v Eels
Round 15 -
home Team
Bulldogs
15th Position
away Team
Eels
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
