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Two sides who have recently found their form, a place in the eight could be on the line when the Knights and Bulldogs meet in Round 13. 

Newcastle will take the field refreshed from a bye while the Bulldogs head to McDonald Jones Stadium buoyed by their 44-12 demolition over the Dragons last Thursday.

Adam O'Brien's men are riding high on the back of a fourth consecutive win in Magic Round, however face a tough month ahead with star centre Bradman Best joining Kalyn Ponga and Tyson Gamble on the sideline after suffering a hamstring injury which also ruled him out of Origin contention. 

Cameron Ciraldo, meanwhile, will lose Stephen Crichton and Matt Burton to Origin camp this week, however the performance of halfback Toby Sexton against the Dragons was a great showcase of the Bulldogs' depth this season.

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Team News

Knights: After a week off with the bye the Knights return to action with a couple of changes to the side which beat the Titans in Round 11. Daniel Saifiti returns from suspension to take a place on the bench ahead of Jack Hetherington, while Krystian Mapapalangi comes in for his first game since 2022 to replace the injured Bradman Best at centre. The side will run out as named, with no late changes on Friday night. 

Bulldogs: A handful of changes for the Bulldogs one hour before kickoff. Kurt Mann has moved to the bench in his return to the field, with Bailey Hayward to start in his place at lock. Lipoi Hopoi is set to make his NRL debut after being promoted to the interchange in jumper No.19 as Poasa Fa'amausili drops out. Harry Hayes will be the 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 David Armstrong
    Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Enari Tuala
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Krystian Mapapalangi
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Jacob Kiraz
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jack Cogger
    Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Drew Hutchison
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
    Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
    Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
  • Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Kai Pearce-Paul
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Jacob Preston
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Dylan Lucas
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon
  • Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
    Lock for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Hayward

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Kurt Mann
  • Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tyson Frizell
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran
  • Interchange for Knights is number 16 Daniel Saifiti
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis Morrin
  • Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Lipoi Hopoi

Reserves

  • Replacement for Knights is number 18 Thomas Cant
    Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Harry Hayes

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Knights are aiming for their fifth consecutive victory.
  • The Bulldogs are aiming for home and away wins against the Knights for the first time since 2017.
  • Knights fullback David Armstrong has scored five tries in his past four games.
  • The Bulldogs have won seven of their past nine games in Newcastle.
  • Knights winger Greg Marzhew has scored 16 tries in 15 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.

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.