This Thursday night marks arguably the Bulldogs' greatest test of 2026 so far - facing the undefeated Penrith Panthers without Captain Stephen Crichton. Still, there is plenty of belief within the four walls at Belmore to get the job done.
Download Your 2026 NRL Team Poster here!
Match: Bulldogs v Panthers
Round 6 -
home Team
Bulldogs
9th Position
away Team
Panthers
1st Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 6 Match Preview.
- Teamlists and Team News
- History vs Panthers and Last Time Out
- Key Match Up
- What They Said
- Stat Attack
- Where to Watch
Teamlists and Team News
The biggest news for the Bulldogs comes in the form of Bronson Xerri returning to the starting side at left centre in place of Captain Stephen Crichton. Forward Harry Hayes returns to the line up in a big boost to the forward pack, while young sensation Jethro Rinakama has been named on the extended bench after returning to the field last week in NSW Cup.
Penrith will welcome back hooker Mitch Kenny after returning from suspension, with his replacement Freddy Lussick dropping out. Centre Izack Tago has been named in the extended squad.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor TraceyFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazWinger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas Jenkins
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Enari TualaCentre for Panthers is number 3 Paul Alamoti
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Bronson XerriCentre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan GalvinHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey HaywardHooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel HughesProp for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman SalmonLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack Cogger
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili TupouniuaInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Billy Phillips
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry HayesInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Scott Sorensen
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Sean O'SullivanInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Luke Garner
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jake TurpinInterchange for Panthers is number 18 Izack Tago
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Lipoi HopoiInterchange for Panthers is number 19 Freddy Lussick
Reserves
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Jethro RinakamaReserve for Panthers is number 20 Sione Fonua
Bulldogs Ins
- Harry Hayes
- Jake Turpin
- Jethro Rinakama
Panthers Ins
- Mitch Kenny
- Sione Fonua
Bulldogs Outs
- Logan Spinks
- Stephen Crichton
Panthers Ins
- Billy Scott
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
History vs Panthers and Last Time Out: Finals Week 2, 2025
Since 1967 the Bulldogs and Panthers have gone head-to-head on 105 occasions at NRL level.
Canterbury hold the ledge slightly with 54 wins against Penrith's 48 - but it's been the last two decades where the rivalry has really spiked.
Both teams took out Premierships in consecutive years in the early 2000s, with the Panthers claiming the 2003 title before the Bulldogs took out their western Sydney rivals in the 2004 Preliminary Final en route to the Club's eighth Premiership.
Extended Highlights: Bulldogs vs Panthers - 2004 Preliminary Final
In 2014 the Michael Ennis-led Bulldogs did it again in a 18-12 victory to reach the Grand Final in another memorable moment against the Panthers.
Both sides claimed a win each in the last two matches against one another, and while Penrith got the chocolates last time out in Week 2 of the Finals, there's no doubt that there will be plenty of motivation from Cameron Ciraldo's camp.
Key Match Up: The Backrowers
There is talent spread across the park in these two line ups, but when Viliame Kikau and Liam Martin clash on Thursday night, the entirety of Accor Stadium will be on red-alert.
Former Panthers Premiership winner and stand-in skipper Kikau faces his former side and former teammate in an epic clash on the edge.
The Fijian international has been a shining light and damaging force since joining the Bulldogs in 2023, and doesn't look like slowing down in 2026, averaging a strong 121 metres with the ball in hand, having made two line breaks and over 25 tackles per game.
Kikau Crashes Over
His opposite has similar numbers to his game, having averaged 119 metres whilst breaking the line twice and scoring a try, while averaging close to 20 tackles.
Realistically, when it comes to these two, numbers are merely a formality. It's the extra efforts that can't be ignored which will determine the result. Keep an eye out for late offloads, pressure in defence and line speed.
If the Bulldogs are to deliver Penrith their first loss of the season, Kikau will need to be a man on a mission to get this one done.
What They Said: Jacob Preston and Jaeman Salmon
Jacob Preston Round 6 Media
Jaeman Salmon Round 6 Media
Stat Attack via NRL.com
- Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored five tries in his last three games against the Panthers.
- Thursday will mark the third consecutive match between the Bulldogs and Panthers at Accor Stadium.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 13 tries in 15 games at Accor Stadium.
- Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary will make his 200th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Where to Watch
Bulldogs Members and supporters will be available to watch the match on Channel 9, FoxSports and streamed via Kayo.
