Ladies and gentlemen, it's here. The annual King's Birthday clash has arrived, and this year's edition is set to be one of the biggest yet!
Round 14 not only marks the Bulldogs' first return match of the season against their most bitter rivals, but a chance to continue their winning run in the annual contest with a third-straight victory.
The teams will be playing for more than just the two competition points, with the fifth i4Give Cup in honour of the Abdullah family.
Download Your 2026 NRL Team Poster here!
Match: Bulldogs v Eels
Round 14 -
home Team
Bulldogs
14th Position
away Team
Eels
15th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 14 Match Preview.
Be sure to check out this week's Gameday Guide for tickets, timings, transport and more!
- Teamlists and Team News
- History vs Eels and Last Time Out
- Key Match Up
- What They Said
- Stat Attack
- Where to Watch
Teamlists and Team News
Coach Cameron Ciraldo sticks solid after the loss to Wests Tigers with the only changes coming on the interchange where Sean O'Sullivan and Logan Spinks have been added in place of Lipoi Hopoi and Jonathan Sua. Listed among the reserves are Connor Tracey (hamstring) and Marcelo Montoya (knee) as they work their way back from injury.
Tallyn Da Silva has again been named to start at hooker with Harrison Edwards on the bench but they could swap on game day as they did against the Knights. After returning from a sternum injury in NSW Cup last weekend, hooker Ryley Smith is listed among the reserves. Teancum Brown has been added to the six-man bench in place of Charlie Guymer.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Jacob KirazFullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jethro RinakamaWinger for Eels is number 2 Brian Kelly
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Eels is number 3 Jordan Samrani
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari TualaWinger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
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Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Joash Papalii
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Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan GalvinHalfback for Eels is number 7 Ronald Volkman
Forwards
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Eels is number 8 Luca Moretti
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Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Kurt MannHooker for Eels is number 9 Tallyn Da Silva
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Eels is number 10 Jack Williams
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Sitili Tupouniua2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga
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Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Harry HayesLock for Eels is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey HaywardInterchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan Walker
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Jed ReardonInterchange for Eels is number 15 Sam Tuivaiti
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Jack UnderhillInterchange for Eels is number 16 Toni Mataele
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Josh CurranInterchange for Eels is number 17 Harrison Edwards
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Sean O'SullivanInterchange for Eels is number 18 Apa Twidle
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Logan SpinksInterchange for Eels is number 19 Teancum Brown
Reserves
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Lipoi HopoiReserve for Eels is number 20 Charlie Guymer
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Connor TraceyReserve for Eels is number 21 Ryley Smith
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Marcelo MontoyaReserve for Eels is number 22 Araz Nanva
Bulldogs Ins
- Connor Tracey
- Logan Spinks
- Marcelo Montoya
- Sean O'Sullivan
Eels Ins
- Araz Nanva
- Ryley Smith
- Teancum Brown
Bulldogs Outs
- Jonathan Sua
Eels Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
History vs Eels and Last Time Out: Round 7, 2026
As we all know, the Bulldogs and Eels have been fierce rivals since the latter's inclusion into the NSWRFL back in 1947.
That rivalry reached fever pitch in the 1980s - a golden era for both clubs - that saw them win four Premierships apiece, taking out eight out of ten titles during the decade.
Since then, there have been famous clashes throughout the 1990s, 2010s and 2020s - most notably the 1998 Preliminary Final victory.
NRL Match Highlights: Bulldogs vs Eels - Round 14, 2025
Last time out was a disappointing defeat for the Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium back in Round 7, and Cameron Ciraldo's side will be out to rectify their performance from that day.
When it comes to King's Birthday clashes (previously Queen's Birthday), the Bulldogs have the upper hand against their most bitter rivals winning three of four contests since 2022, with last year's match the highlight.
In Lachlan Galvin's debut for the Club, the Bulldogs claimed a memorable 30-12 win at Accor Stadium, with the young halfback scoring the game-winning try.
Key Match Up: The Fullbacks
Big games call for big plays from key players, and this week the attacking prowess for both sides might just come down to the men in the no.1 jerseys.
For the Bulldogs, Jacob Kiraz has been a revelation at the back after deputising for the injured Connor Tracey.
He was thrust into the custodian role in Round 12, proving to be more than a handful for the Storm and going on to score the match-winning try. Against the Tigers last week, he was just as dangerous with a try and game-high 287 metres.
Kiraz Seals The Win!
While has played most of the season out wide, his six tries, 24 tackle breaks, five line breaks and average of 201 metres is proof that he is one of Canterbury's most valuable attacking threats.
Opposite him is Isaiah Iongi, who has missed a large chunk of the season due to injury, with the Eels struggling in attack his absence.
The Tongan-Cypriot fullback still has some impressive numbers to his name; with three tries, 25 tackle breaks, four line breaks and an average of 141 metres in five matches.
In this season-defining clash, look no further than these two game-breaking fullbacks to swing momentum when the chips are down.
What They Said: Jacob Kiraz, Max King & Danny Abdallah
Jacob Kiraz Round 14 Media
Max King Round 14 Media
Danny Abdallah I4Give Cup Media
Stat Attack via NRL.com
- The Bulldogs have won three of their last four games against the Eels.
- Recently re-signed Bulldog Enari Tuala has scored six tries in six games against the Eels.
- Bulldogs winger Jethro Rinakama has scored four tries in four games at Accor Stadium.
- The Eels have lost their last three games at Accor Stadium.
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 FoxSports, or streamed via Kayo.
