The Dolphins will return from a bye desperate to keep their finals hopes alive when they take on a bolstered Bulldogs in Bundaberg.
Canterbury have faced a significant injury crisis this season, with marquee signing Viliame Kikau ruled out since Round 4 and Kangaroos winger Josh Addo-Carr chalking just 10 games for the Belmore club.
However, with a number of troops expected back this week, Cameron Ciraldo's side will be out to restore some pride after a so far disappointing season has them languishing in 16th position on the ladder.
Meanwhile, sitting just two points outside the top eight, Wayne Bennett's Dolphins are still very much in the mix for finals footy but will need to take advantage of their favourites tag and put the clamp on the Bulldogs with clashes against the Knights and Roosters around the corner.
While it's a home game for the Bulldogs, the regional fixture will be a homecoming for Dolphins forward Felise Kaufusi who grew up playing for the Bundaberg Brothers Junior Rugby League Club.
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Team News
Bulldogs: Viliame Kikau (pectoral) is back for his first game since Round 4, while Josh Addo-Carr (hamstring) returns on the wing. Raymond Faitala-Mariner dropped out of the squad an hour before kick-off, so Ryan Sutton starts at lock in his return from a neck injury. Mid-season signing Liam Knight is the new addition on the bench and will make his club debut. Jacob Preston (illness), Braidon Burns (abdomen) and Toby Sexton (concussion) are all good to go.
Dolphins: No late changes for Wayne Bennett's side, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow returning to fullback after two games in the centres. Kodi Nikorima is the new five-eighth and Anthony Milford goes to the bench, with Valynce Te Whare at centre. Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returns from a shoulder injury. Kenny Bromwich starts at lock, with Ray Stone out with a broken hand.
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Stat Attack
- Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton has produced the most amount of short dropouts this season with 19.
- The Bulldogs have made more tackles than any other team this season with 6,211.
- Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako is leading the competition in points scored with 173. He has played and scored in every game for the Dolphins.
- The Bulldogs have won only two of their past 21 games in Queensland.
- Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 15 tries in 15 games in 2023.
- Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 38 tries in 35 games at Queensland venues.
- The Bulldogs have conceded 268 points in their past six games.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.