Bulldogs v Sea Eagles; Crichton banned; Talau a chance

Fifth meets seventh under the Friday night lights at Accor Stadium in a mouth-watering clash of two great rivals in Round 26.

Charging towards their first finals appearance since 2016, the Bulldogs have now won five on the trot and have plenty of momentum on their side as they look to climb into the top four and earn a double chance.

A season-ending injury to lock Kurt Mann put something of a dampener on the win in Auckland but coach Cameron Ciraldo has the players at his disposal to fill the void and ensure the disruption is minimal, with Jaeman Salmon, Kurtis Morrin and Lipoi Hopoi in the mix to step up.

Likewise a change will be required in the backline with captain Stephen Crichton suspended for one match for his high shot on Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

The Sea Eagles are coming off a shock loss to Wests Tigers and will look to regroup quickly ahead of their first trip to the finals since 2021.

Centre Tommy Talau is due to return from a pectoral injury in a boost for Manly but they will be without Corey Waddell, who copped a two-game ban for a high shot against Wests Tigers.

Even allowing for the fact they lost three players to the sin bin at Leichhardt Oval, the Sea Eagles would have been hugely disappointed to give up six tries to the side sitting last on the ladder and a repeat of those defensive lapses would see the Dogs run riot.

The Bulldogs have built an imposing 7-1 record at Accor Stadium this season and a monster crowd is assured for the first meeting of these two sides since Round 26 last year.