The Bulldogs and Roosters go toe-to-toe in a heavyweight clash to open the first of two weeks during the NRL's Indigenous Round.
In the second annual Gadhu Gathering, the Bulldogs head east to face the second-place Roosters in a match that could dictate the side's finals hopes.
But with plenty of talent on both sides of the field, one guarantee is certain - this is going to be a match for the ages.
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Match: Roosters v Bulldogs
Round 23 -
home Team
Roosters
2nd Position
away Team
Bulldogs
8th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 23 Match Preview.
Teamlists and Team News
The Bulldogs welcome back Sitili Tupouniua after five games out with a hamstring injury. Tupouniua is joined on the bench by two other new faces in Bronson Xerri and Jake Turpin, who will play his first NRL match since Round 9. Sean O'Sullivan, Jonathan Su'A and Alekolasimi Jones make way.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Billy SmithWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Hugo SavalaCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Matt Burton
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert ToiaCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Enari Tuala
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark NawaqanitawaseWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jethro Rinakama
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-EvansFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Stephen Crichton
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu WhyteProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Spencer LeniuProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Salesi Foketi2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor WatsonInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Lindsay CollinsInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat ButcherInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Egan ButcherInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Sitili Tupouniua
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Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Cody RamseyInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Bronson Xerri
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Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Tommy TalauInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Jake Turpin
Reserves
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Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Rex BassingthwaighteReserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Alekolasimi Jones
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Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Benaiah IoeluReserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Sean O'Sullivan
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Reserve for Roosters is number 22 De La Salle Va'aReserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Jonathan Sua
Roosters Ins
- Benaiah Ioelu
- Billy Smith
- De La Salle Va'a
- Lindsay Collins
- Rex Bassingthwaighte
Bulldogs Ins
- Bronson Xerri
- Jake Turpin
- Sitili Tupouniua
Roosters Outs
- Reece Foley
- Taylor Losalu
Bulldogs Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Maroons prop Lindsay Collins has been named on the bench after an extended break due to concussion issues. Winger Billy Smith returns after missing Round 22 due to illness so Tommy Talau goes to the bench. Skipper James Tedesco is good to go despite sitting out the second half last week with his ankle on ice. Salesi Foketi retains his place in the starting side after a powerhouse display against the Cowboys so Nat Butcher goes to the bench.
History vs Roosters and Last Time Out: Round 24, 2025
Friday night marks the 184th time the Bulldogs and Roosters have met - in fact, they're the side the Bulldogs have played the most out of any opponent in history.
The two Clubs have faced off in many big matches; none more so than in the Grand Finals of 1980 and 2004 - both famous victories in favour of the Blue and Whites.
2004 Grand Final Highlights: Bulldogs vs Roosters
Eastern Suburbs have had their fair share of famous wins too, however, including the infamous 87-7 win back in the Club's first season.
Last time out the red, white and blue got the two competition points in late 2025 at Allianz Stadium, so the Bulldogs will be out to make amends on their quest for a third consecutive finals series.
Key Match Up: Big Name No.6s
A big clash calls for big-game players, and look no further than Stephen Crichton and Daly Cherry-Evans to dictate the outcome should the match drag on into the late stages.
Both players have moved positions in 2026, but the pair have proven to be big-game players throughout their careers.
Crichton has been a catalyst since moving into the no.6 jersey back in Round 16; with the Bulldogs winning four from their last five matches.
Crichton's Cool Field Goal
He knows how to ice matches on the biggest stage, kicking the winning field goal on two occasions this year - evidenced by his Round 1 performance in Las Vegas.
Cherry-Evans, who will move into second place in all-time NRL appearances, has proven to be a match-winner time and time again; just a few weeks ago he proved the difference with a clutch one-pointer to get the Roosters home in Newcastle.
With both sides sizzling into form with September looming, you can bet that contest will be a close one dictated by the men in the no.6 jerseys.
What They Said: Josh Curran, Stephen Crichton & Cameron Ciraldo
Josh Curran Round 23 Media
Stephen Crichton Round 23 Media
Coach Media: Round 23
Stat Attack via NRL.com
- Bulldogs forward Josh Curran has scored five tries in his last five games.
- The Roosters have won their last six games at Allianz Stadium.
- The Bulldogs have not defeated the Roosters at Moore Park since 2016.
- Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored 10 tries in his last nine games at Allianz Stadium.
- Roosters five-eighth Daly Cherry-Evans will move to equal second for all-time premiership appearances.
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 and FoxSports, or stream via Kayo.
