Bulldogs v Dragons: Sexton in; Leilua back on deck
The Canterbury Bulldogs are seeking an immediate rebound as they return home to face the St George Illawarra Dragons in the opening game of NRL Indigenous Round.
Cameron Ciraldo's side allowed an eight-point lead slip when they fell to the Raiders last weekend and they are eager to produce a much-improved showing.
The match will provide the final opportunity for Origin hopefuls on both sides to put their hands up for NSW and Queensland selection.
Bulldogs trio Matt Burton, Josh Addo-Carr and Stephen Crichton are in the mix for the Blues while St George Illawarra's Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su'A are eyeing a Maroons call up, with Zac Lomax also in NSW contention.
The Dragons will be fresh coming into the game after enjoying the bye during Magic Round and are set to welcome back Luciano Leilua from a calf injury.
It will be an emotional evening for St George Illawarra fullback and proud Wiradjuri man Tyrell Sloan as he faces off against close friend Josh Addo-Carr.
The Bulldogs winger has guided the youngster throughout a tough initiation into the top flight after they met at the Koori Knockout a few years ago.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Bulldogs v Dragons
Team News
Bulldogs: A late change sees Drew Hutchison drop out with Toby Sexton called into the halves alongside Matt Burton. Kurt Mann (rested) was ruled out on Wednesday and is now replaced in the starting side by Bailey Hayward, with Josh Curran shifting to the bench and Jake Turpin joining the side. After being hospitalised with a staph infection last week which saw him miss Magic Round, Jaeman Salmon returns to the line-up and will start in the second row. Blake Wilson is 18th man.
Dragons: Just one change to the 17 who took the field in the club’s last game prior to their Round 11 bye, with Luciano Leilua returning from injury on the bench at the expense of Ben Murdoch-Masila. Fullback Tyrell Sloan and winger Zac Lomax each have seven tries in 10 games so far this season. No late changes ahead of kick off with Alec Tuitavake named as 18th man.
Match: Bulldogs v Dragons
Round 12 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor TraceyFullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazWinger for Dragons is number 2 Zac Lomax
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Dragons is number 4 Jack Bird
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
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Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 23 Toby SextonHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel HughesProp for Dragons is number 10 Hame Sele
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tom Eisenhuth
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey HaywardLock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh CurranInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Fa'amanu Brown
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis MorrinInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Blake Lawrie
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jacob PrestonInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 21 Jake TurpinInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Luciano Leilua
Reserves
-
Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Blake WilsonReplacement for Dragons is number 20 Alec Tuitavake
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have won seven of their past nine games against the Dragons at Accor Stadium.
- The Dragons have won only one of their past six games at Accor Stadium.
- The Bulldogs are aiming for four straight wins at Accor Stadium for the first time since 2016.
- Dragons centre Zac Lomax has kicked two two-point field goals in his past four games.
- Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 22 tries in 24 games at Accor Stadium.
Match: Bulldogs v Dragons
Round 12 -
home Team
Bulldogs
12th Position
away Team
Dragons
13th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
