Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs head coach Trent Barrett has made several changes to his line-up to take on the Gold Coast Titans in Round 11 this Saturday afternoon at Cbus Super Stadium.
The Gold Coast Titans will be down on troops with Justin Holbrook missing players due to suspension and injuries. The side is coming off a difficult loss to the Penrith Panthers in their Magic Round clash, hoping to turn around their fortunes and push for a spot in the top eight.
The Belmore outfit have won three of the last five outings against Gold Coast, with the last two encounters decided by less than 6 points. Holbrook will be preparing to take on a vastly different side to the one the Titans defeated 18-14 in Round 17 last year in Sydney.
Ultimate Security Match Preview: Round 11 v Titans
Team News
Bulldogs:
Winger Tui Katoa has been sidelined after he was on the end of Josh Papalii's high shot on Saturday. Canterbury have been granted an NRL exemption to replace him with Watson Heleta in their squad. Kyle Flanagan and Joe Stimson were also omitted from their reserves on Friday. Nick Meaney moves out to the wing and the new centre is 19-year-old debutant Aaron Schoupp. Prop Dylan Napa has been named on the bench in his return from a shoulder injury which pushes Ofahiki Ogden to the reserves. Matt Doorey has been promoted to the starting side in the second row with Adam Elliott going back to the bench.
Titans:
With Herman Ese'ese (three weeks) and Tyrone Peachey (two weeks) suspended, the Titans have reshuffled their pack. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui shifts from prop to lock and Mo Fotuaika moves into the starting front row. Sam Stone and Erin Clark are the new faces on the bench. Five-eighth Ash Taylor (hip) has been named among the reserves but will not make a return with coach Justin Holbrook on Friday saying the team would be 1-17. Taylor and Toby Sexton were culled when the 19-man squad was announced 24 hours out from kick-off.
Match: Titans v Bulldogs
Round 11 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Titans is number 1 Alexander BrimsonFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
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Winger for Titans is number 2 Anthony DonWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Nick Cotric
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Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian KellyCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Will Hopoate
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Centre for Titans is number 4 Esan MarstersCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Aaron Schoupp
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Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip SamiWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Nick Meaney
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Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Tanah BoydFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Brandon Wakeham
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Halfback for Titans is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Jake Averillo
Forwards
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Prop for Titans is number 8 Jarrod WallaceProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Ava Seumanufagai
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Hooker for Titans is number 9 Mitch ReinHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Sione Katoa
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Prop for Titans is number 10 Moeaki FotuaikaProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Luke Thompson
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2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Matt Doorey
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2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Chris Smith
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Lock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiLock for Bulldogs is number 16 Adam Elliott
Interchange
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Interchange for Titans is number 14 Erin ClarkInterchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Renouf Atoni
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Interchange for Titans is number 15 Sam StoneInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bradley Deitz
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Interchange for Titans is number 16 Jaimin JolliffeInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Corey Waddell
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Interchange for Titans is number 17 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Dylan Napa
Reserves
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Reserve for Titans is number 18 Jai WhitbreadReserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Ofahiki Ogden
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Cecchin
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key Match-Up
Sione Katoa v Mitch Rein: Canterbury-Bankstown hooker Sione Katoa was a stand out in a beaten Bulldog's outfit last weekend against the Canberra Raiders. The Tongan international will be encouraged to look for more opportunities around the ruck and get his side on the front foot around the middle third of the pitch.
After a tough 2020 NRL Season plagued with injury, Mitch Rein has nailed down the number nine jersey for the Titan's 2021 Premiership campaign to feature in every fixture for the year. The rake has added stability to the forward pack, shoring up the middle of the Gold Coast defence line.
Stat Attack
Katoa has been quietly consistent, averaging 42 running metres, 29 tackles and 35 kick metres for the 2021 NRL Season. Mitch Rein has been busy in defence, notching up 37 tackles per match this year. The hooker has been darting out of dummy half to gain 57 running metres per game.
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs travel north to face the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium this Saturday afternoon. Don't miss out on this week's Round 11 fixture with tickets on sale at here.
