NRL Round 19 Match Preview: Northward Bound

Author: bulldogs.com.au & NRL.com
Timestamp: Wed 9 Jul 2025, 09:20 AM

The Bulldogs relinquished second spot on the ladder after their defeat last week and they'll be keen to bounce back in Townsville.

Buoyed by the return of their State of Origin quartet - Stephen Crichton, Max King, Jacob Kiraz and Kurt Mann - the Bulldogs will be out to return to the winners' circle for the first time since Round 15.

Josh Curran Press Conference Round 19

The Cowboys dug deep against the Storm but still finished on the wrong side of a six-point loss - their ninth defeat of the season and fourth on home soil.

Todd Payten's men have conceded more points than any other side in 2025 and if they fail to stiffen their defence on Saturday the potent Bulldogs outfit could run riot.

Round 19 - Round 19 - Saturday 12 Jul

Full Time

Cowboys

Bulldogs

Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Highlights Latest

Team News

Bulldogs: The return of skipper Stephen Crichton from Origin duty sees Matt Burton shift back to five-eighth and Lachlan Galvin go back to the bench. Max King and Kurt Mann have also been named to back up three days after Origin Three so Harry Hayes goes to the bench, Bailey Hayward starts at lock and Jake Turpin goes to 18th man. Winger Jacob Kiraz is 18th man for the Blues on Wednesday night and has been named to line up for the Bulldogs. Marcelo Montoya is facing six weeks out with a neck injury.

Cowboys: The club's big four of Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson have all been named to back up after the Origin decider and will be monitored. Karl Lawton is back from suspension on the bench while Murray Taulagi has been listed among the reserves as he looks to return from the knee injury that kept him out of the Storm game. Forwards Sam McIntyre (calf) and John Bateman (groin) are sidelined.

Round 19 - Round 19 - Saturday 12 Jul

Full Time

Cowboys

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert Derby

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Zac Laybutt

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
Centre for Cowboys is number 22 Murray Taulagi

Centre for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari Tuala
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Braidon Burns

Winger for Bulldogs is number 24 Jethro Rinakama
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Griffin Neame

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Reuben Cotter

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Harrison Edwards

Lock for Bulldogs is number 20 Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Karl Lawton

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Bailey Hayward
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas Mikaele

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Harry Hayes
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kai O'Donnell

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Josh Curran
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 22 Kurtis Morrin

Reserves

Replacement for Cowboys is number 24 Jaxson Paulo

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 23 Blake Wilson

Match Officials

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 7/21/2025 3:40:23 AM

Stat Attack

The Bulldogs have won six from eight away from home this season.
Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz has scored nine tries in his last six games in Queensland.
Bulldogs second rower Jacob Preston is set to play his 50th NRL game - all of which have been at the Club.
The Cowboys have won only one of their past four games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored five tries in his past six games.

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