NRL Round 12 Match Preview: Thursday Night Thriller

Author: bulldogs.com.au & NRL.com
Timestamp: Wed 21 May 2025, 11:24 AM

The Bulldogs are out to extend their lead at the top of the NRL ladder when they host the Dolphins in the opening game of Round 12.

Canterbury have emerged as the competition's comeback kings, overturning second-half deficits in each of the past two weeks to extend an impressive start to the season.

Cameron Ciraldo's side will be without Stephen Crichton and Max King, who will be away on State of Origin duties, while Jacob Kiraz is also facing 4-6 weeks on the sidelines with a calf injury.

The Dolphins have been up and down throughout the first few months of the season and are eager to bounce back after a tight loss to the Warriors last weekend.

The competition newcomers are yet to defeat the Bulldogs since joining the NRL in 2023, with Thursday's match the third clash between the two teams.

Harry Hayes Press Conference: Round 12

Team News

Bulldogs: With skipper Stephen Crichton, prop Max King and lock Kurt Mann on Origin duty and Jacob Kiraz (calf) and Daniel Suluka-Fifita (concussion) also missing, the ladder leaders will field a new-look outfit on Thursday night. Josh Curran returns from suspension to slot into the front row while Lipoi Hopoi is the other prop. Blake Wilson comes in on the wing, Bailey Hayward starts at lock and Blake Taaffe lines up at centre for his run-on appearance of the season. Jake Turpin and Sam Hughes are the new faces on the bench in their first NRL games for 2025.

Dolphins: Jake Averillo will wear the No.1 jersey with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on Maroons duty and Max Feagai comes into the centres for his debut game as a Dolphin. The loss of Tom Gilbert to a pectoral injury sees Connelly Lemuelu promoted to the starting side and Oryn Keeley added to the bench. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has been selected for Queensland's extended squad but is expected to play on Thursday. Sean O'Sullivan is again listed as 18th man.

Round 12 - Round 12 - Thursday 22 May

Full Time

Bulldogs

Dolphins

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Jake Averillo
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson

Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri

Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Max Feagai
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Blake Taaffe

Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya

Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton

Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Josh Curran

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Francis Molo
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney

Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Kurt Donoghoe
Prop for Bulldogs is number 16 Samuel Hughes

Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Felise Kaufusi
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Harry Hayes

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 17 Oryn Keeley
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Bailey Hayward

Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Ray Stone

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 8 Lipoi Hopoi

Interchange for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jake Turpin

Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Harrison Graham
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Kurtis Morrin

Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Mark Nicholls
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Luke Smith

Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Josh Kerr