Pregame Notes: Round 11 v Wests Tigers

Author: bulldogs.com.au
Timestamp: Thu 19 May 2022, 02:03 PM

After a challenging week, the Bulldogs return to the field against the Wests Tigers on Friday evening at 6pm.

Whilst much guess work and innuendo has featured in media reports across what has been an extremely difficult time for the club as a whole, the players remained galvanised and committed to the task at hand, as they enter the first match of interim coach Mick Potter’s tenure.

The 80 game Premiership player returns to the Bulldogs as a hardened and proven mentor, with international experience in both the United Kingdom and France, to go along with his previous stint in the NRL.

Potter’s immediate job will be to lift the team to an improved level of performance. Two consecutive losses followed the hope of the Round 8 win against the Roosters, where many felt the corner had finally been turned, requiring a big effort this Friday.

The interim coach will be targeting the poor 64 per cent completion rate produced during Magic Round and will also be concerned with the 41 missed or ineffective tackles. He will be keen to see the team return to a more efficient off-loading game after it managed just the one against the Knights.

The Tigers enter the match off the back of three straight losses, including one against the Cowboys at Suncorp last time out. Separated only by for and against at the foot of the ladder, both teams will see this match as a significant opportunity to instil some energy back into their seasons and provide their fans with some much needed joy after what have been poor starts to 2022 for both.

Team news sees Jake Averillo make a return to the centres following the departure of Brent Naden.

The first port of call for Potter will be to amend some of the statistical areas where the team needs improvement, with completions and errors being vital. Luke Thompson and Paul Vaughan will seek to lead the way up front after showing impressive form across the last month, while Matt Burton and Kyle Flanagan will enjoy the dry conditions predicted in Sydney.

Round 11 - Round 11 - Friday 20 May

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Starford To'a

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Matthew Dufty
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Junior Tupou

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jayden Okunbor
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Tyrone Peachey

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Aaron Schoupp
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 21 Brent Naden

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Jake Averillo
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken Maumalo

Winger for Bulldogs is number 19 Jacob Kiraz
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jock Madden

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 James Tamou

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Luke Thompson
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob Liddle

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Zane Musgrove

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul Vaughan
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Jackson
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 15 Joe Stimson
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Joe Ofahengaue

Lock for Bulldogs is number 16 Max King

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Kelma Tuilagi

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Twal

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Chris Patolo
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Fa'amanu Brown

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Zach Dockar-Clay
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Stefano Utoikamanu

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Reserves

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Alex Seyfarth

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 27 Billy Tsikrikas

Match Officials

Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 3/4/2024 11:32:46 PM

The Tigers will bring everything they have to this one and Canterbury will need a better performance to meet the challenge. It looms as a typically tough and uncompromising clash between two proud clubs determined to elevate themselves away from the bottom of the NRL ladder,

Key match-up

Kyle Flanagan vs Jackson Hastings

Without Luke Brooks in the Tigers’ squad for this match, Jackson Hastings will take on significant responsibility and the Bulldogs’ forwards will look to limit his time and space. That presents an opportunity for Kyle Flanagan’s short passing game to come into effect.