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After being left to stew on their heavy loss to the Dolphins for an extra week due to their second bye, the Bulldogs will be looking to improve against the Eels.

With captain Stephen Crichton and forward Max King back from Origin and new recruit Lachlan Galvin in the squad, it will be a much different line-up to the one that went down 44-8 to the Dolphins, and one out to make amends for their uncharacteristically poor performance. 

The Eels will head to Accor Stadium with a point to prove after they were downed by the Panthers in a close, seesawing match last week, but will take confidence from their efforts.

In an even and entertaining game, the Eels just couldn't edge out the Panthers who had more experienced game breakers in their side. 

Team News

Bulldogs: Lachlan Galvin will make his club debut from the bench in jersey No.23 following his release from Wests Tigers last week, pushing Kurt Morrin to 18th man. Bailey Hayward starts at lock and Kurt Mann moves to the bench in a game day switch. Centre Stephen Crichton (Origin), prop Max King (Origin), lock Kurt Mann (Origin), winger Jacob Kiraz (calf) and prop Daniel Suluka-Fifita (concussion) are all back on deck in a huge boost for the Bulldogs. 

Eels: Youngster Joash Papalii has been added to the bench an hour before kick-off with Ryan Matterson making way. That comes after Luca Moretti dropped out of the squad on Sunday and Matt Doorey was added to the bench in jumper No.19. Joey Lussick is 18th man. Will Penisini returns from a concussion in the centres so Jordan Samrani moves to the bench.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
    Fullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
    Winger for Eels is number 2 Zac Lomax
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
    Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
    Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
    Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
    Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton
    Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
    Prop for Eels is number 8 Jack Williams
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
    Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley Smith
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
    Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
    2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Josh Curran
    2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Hayward
    Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Kurt Mann
    Interchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan Walker
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Harry Hayes
    Interchange for Eels is number 17 Jordan Samrani
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Lipoi Hopoi
    Interchange for Eels is number 18 Joash Papalii
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Lachlan Galvin
    Interchange for Eels is number 19 Matt Doorey

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 17 Kurtis Morrin
    Replacement for Eels is number 20 Joey Lussick

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Bulldogs won last year’s King’s Birthday game against the Eels 22-18.
  • The Eels have won nine of their last 12 games against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.
  • The Bulldogs have conceded 144 points in their past five games.
  • Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 23 tries in 26 games at Accor Stadium.
  • Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey will play his 100th NRL game.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.