After a convincing win over the Eels in their best performance of the season, the Bulldogs host the Tigers in Round 15 at CommBank Stadium, hoping to secure consecutive wins for the first time in 2022.
In what was their most rounded and polished performance to date, Canterbury ran rampant against Parramatta, getting their noses in front early and eventually streaking away to a 34-4 victory, that featured six tries against a team with aspirations of a top four finish.
Statistically, the Eels were well in the game, with little between the teams when it came to run and post contact metres, line breaks or tackle breaks. However, a solid 80 per cent completion rate for the blue and whites applied pressure to the Eels’ ability to control the ball and Matt Burton starred with the boot, achieving most of the dominant 677 kick metres gained whilst playing his best game yet for the Bulldogs.
The 11-4 penalty count against his team will keep Mick Potter concerned in regards to discipline and see it remain an area on which continued focus will be placed. Yet after flashes of promise this season, the Bulldogs finally produced an 80 minute performance for their fans to savour.
Backing up the win will be vital and the Tigers will arrive at CommBank Stadium off the back of a loss at the hands of the Sea Eagles last Sunday and five defeats in their last six matches. Their lone win in that period came against the Bulldogs in Round 11, and Potter will be determined to use the momentum of the win against the Eels to reverse that result this Sunday.
Team news sees Chris Patolo out after suffering a head knock against Parramatta, Raymond Faitala-Mariner named to start the match, Max King at prop and Tevita Pangai Junior shifting to lock. Corey Waddell will move to the bench.
Match: Bulldogs v Wests Tigers
Round 15 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Jake AverilloFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine Laurie
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Aaron SchouppCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Corey AllanCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu Kepaoa
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken Maumalo
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Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Luke Brooks
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Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle FlanaganHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jackson Hastings
Forwards
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Zane Musgrove
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Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-KingHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob Liddle
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul VaughanProp for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Twal
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 15 Corey Waddell2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi
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Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Tevita Pangai JuniorLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Joe Ofahengaue
Interchange
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 12 Raymond Faitala-MarinerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 8 James Tamou
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Zach Dockar-ClayInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Fa'amanu Brown
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Joe StimsonInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Adam Doueihi
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Kurtis MorrinInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth
Reserves
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Replacement for Bulldogs is number 21 Jayden TannerReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 21 Junior Tupou
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
The most significant selection news is the debut of Kurtis Morrin, who will be used off the bench at some point. A future star, Morrin has impressed over the last two seasons in the lower grades and earns an opportunity in the top grade with his consistent form.
Morrin joins Jake Averillo, Jacob Kiraz and Aaron Schoupp in a group of new-breed Bulldogs set to make their mark on the NRL over the next 5-7 years. All are products of the player development pathway being taken at the club, and fans can expect to see a few more emerge from the high performing Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup squads in the near future.
The Tigers will be determined to get back in the winner’s circle, whilst they may also be surprised by the new look Bulldogs they will face. Canterbury will be confident of continuing their recent burst in point scoring that has seen the team manage 98 points across its last four matches and the freedom that Potter has brought to their attack cannot be underestimated.
Discipline will be key, while combatting the go-forward of the Tigers, will be a key focus area as the team prepares to take another step forward in its development.
Key Match-Up
Paul Vaughan vs James Tamou
Paul Vaughan has built steadily into the season and is now producing elite front row numbers on a consistent basis.
With Max King alongside him in the starting 13, Vaughan will be vital to stifling the progress of James Tamou and Zane Musgrove, two men capable of denting defensive lines when at their best. If the Bulldogs are able to hold ground in the centre of the field it will go a long way towards allowing their in-form backs to continue to find the try-line.