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.
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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.
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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.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.