They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but Rugby League fans will be hoping that the thrilling match between the Bulldogs and Dragons can be replicated at Allianz Stadium this Saturday night.
The Bulldogs are still in the hunt for a spot in the top eight, but they face the resurgent Dragons who have recorded back-to-back wins for the first time in 2026 as they look to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.
For tickets, transport and more, check out our Round 25 Gameday Guide below!
Match: Dragons v Bulldogs
Round 25 -
home Team
Dragons
17th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
9th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 25 Match Preview.
- Teamlists and Team News
- History vs Dragons and Last Time Out
- Key Match Up
- What They Said
- Stat Attack
- Where to Watch
Teamlists and Team News
With Jethro Rinakama out for the rest of the season after suffering knee and ankle injuries, Enari Tuala pushes out to the wing and Bronson Xerri starts in the centres. The new face on the bench is utility Sean O'Sullivan, chasing his first NRL action since Round 20 when he starred against Wests Tigers at five-eighth.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Daniel AtkinsonFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
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Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew FeagaiWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
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Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses SuliCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Matt Burton
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Centre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine HolmesCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Bronson Xerri
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Winger for Dragons is number 5 Tyrell SloanWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari Tuala
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Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Lyhkan King-TogiaFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Stephen Crichton
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Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle FlanaganHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
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Prop for Dragons is number 8 Loko Jnr Pasifiki TongaProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
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Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
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Prop for Dragons is number 10 Emre GulerProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Dylan Egan2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Hamish Stewart2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
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Lock for Dragons is number 13 Ryan CouchmanLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
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Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Damien CookInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
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Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Toby CouchmanInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran
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Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Jacob HalangahuInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
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Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Jacob WebsterInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Alekolasimi Jones
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Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Setu TuInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jake Turpin
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Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Josh KerrInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Sean O'Sullivan
Reserves
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Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Blake LawrieReserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Jed Reardon
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Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Luciano LeiluaReserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Jonathan Sua
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Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Kade ReedReserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Jack Underhill
Dragons Ins
- Josh Kerr
- Kade Reed
- Luciano Leilua
Bulldogs Ins
- Jack Underhill
- Jed Reardon
- Jonathan Sua
- Sean O'Sullivan
Dragons Outs
Bulldogs Ins
- Jethro Rinakama
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Dan Atkinson has been named at fullback and Mat Feagai on the wing with Clint Gutherson (knee) remaining sidelined. Just the one change on the bench with Josh Kerr coming in for Blake Lawrie.
History vs Dragons and Last Time Out: Round 1, 2026
Canterbury-Bankstown and St George Illawarra have a rich history going back nearly a century.
Of course, we all know that the St George Dragons and Illawarra Steelers formed a joint-venture in 1999, but that still didn't dull the red-hot rivalry that these two local rivals have.
NRL Highlights: Bulldogs vs Dragons - Round 1, 2026
The Blue and Whites have claimed many famous victories over the Red V, from their 11-9 win in the 1942 Grand Final amidst World War II, to the famous 1985 decider that saw Warren Ryan's side upset the runaway favourites 7-6 and net the Club back-to-back titles.
Of course, you don't have to go too far to remember the last time these two Sydney staples featured in a classic, with the Bulldogs taking home a thrilling 15-14 Golden Point victory at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to open the season.
Dragons fans won't be forgetting that one anytime soon, and the Bulldogs will be hoping that they can secure the two competition points in less stressful circumstances at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
1985 Grand Final Highlights: Bulldogs vs Dragons
Key Match Up: Tearaway Second Rowers
Jacob Preston faces off against young gun Hamish Stewart out wide in a match up that could have repercussions for Australian Head Coach Kevin Walters ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Preston has been reliable out wide for the Bulldogs in 2026, despite missing a chunk of the season. The 24-year-old has scored five tries, made 11 line breaks and offloaded eight times so far this season. Impressively, he has a 94.9% tackle efficiency, averaging 36 tackles and 94 metres per game.
Galvin-Preston Combo Fires!
His opposite has earned the praises from good judges far and wide, scoring five tries, offloading 17 times and averaging 97 metres per game with a 95.2% efficiency in his 21 matches.
Last week it was the powerhouses, this week it's the tearaways. Keep an eye on the Bulldogs' right edge for this unmissable battle.
What They Said: Viliame Kikau & Harry Hayes
Viliame Kikau Round 25 Media
Harry Hayes Round 25 Media
Stat Attack via NRL.com
- The Bulldogs have won their last six games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons are chasing three consecutive wins for the first time since Round 2, 2023.
- The Dragons have conceded 237 points in five straight losses at Allianz Stadium.
- Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan has scored eight tries in his last eight games.
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.
