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The Bulldogs play host to the Cowboys at Accor Stadium on Sunday in a clash between two clubs whose form has fluctuated in 2023 to have both sitting 2-2 after four rounds.

The Bulldogs looked to be in control of their clash against the Warriors when they led 14-6 on the back of a runaway Josh Addo-Carr try but their discipline let them down in the closing stages as the home side reeled them in.

On top of nine errors the Bulldogs also had 37 missed tackles at Mt Smart Stadium and that's an area coach Cameron Ciraldo is sure to address.

Meanwhile, coming off back-to-back losses to the Broncos and Warriors, Todd Payten's side ground their way to a derby win over the Titans but will pay for it in the coming weeks. 

The Cowboys are set to test their 'next man up' culture after three players suffered injuries and Jeremiah Nanai copped a two-match suspension for a Dangerous Throw.

The absence of Origin centre Murray Taulagi robs the Cowboys of some of their potency but any side boasting Valentine Holmes, Kyle Feldt and Tom Dearden is capable of piling on quick points so the Bulldogs will need to be on high alert.

Team News

Bulldogs: Viliame Kikau is out after suffering a head knock at training on Friday so Raymond Faitala-Mariner moves from lock to second row, Corey Waddell comes into the starting side and Kurtis Morrin joins the bench. Favourite son Josh Reynolds will play his first game for the Bulldogs since 2017 when he comes onto the interchange bench for the injured Fa'amanu Brown (dislocated elbow). Franklin Pele is also back from injury. Braidon Burns is 18th man.

Cowboys: In a late change, Mitch Dunn will start at prop with Griffin Neame reverting back to the bench. The absence of Jeremiah Nanai (suspended) also sees Heilum Luki promoted to the starting side. Youngster Riley Price will make his NRL debut off the bench in place of the injured James Tamou (foot) while Peta Hiku returns from suspension. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze Perham
    Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Tom Chester
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
    Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake Averillo
    Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul Alamoti
    Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
    Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Brendan Elliot
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
    Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
    Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
    Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
    Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Ryan Sutton
    Prop for Cowboys is number 15 Mitchell Dunn
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Coen Hess
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 13 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Heilum Luki
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 15 Corey Waddell
    Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Josh Reynolds
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 10 Griffin Neame
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Franklin Pele
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jayden Okunbor
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Kurtis Morrin
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Riley Price

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Braidon Burns
    Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Zac Laybutt

Match Officials

  • Referee: Liam Kennedy
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Bulldogs have won three of their past four games at Accor Stadium.
  • The Cowboys have won four of their past five games against the Bulldogs.
  • Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 19 tries in his past 14 games at Accor Stadium.
  • Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes has kicked his last 13 goals without a miss.
  • A win will give the Bulldogs their best start after five rounds since 2016.

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

 

Acknowledgement of Country

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs respect and honour the Darug and Eora nations, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.