It's the final Battle of the West for the regular season this Friday night as we head to Parramatta to face the Penrith Panthers in a mouthwatering match up.
The season is on the line for the Bulldogs with just two weeks remaining before finals, while Penrith won't have the luxury of resting players as they reach for the Minor Premiership as they battle a three-way tie against the Warriors and Roosters.
If the last few clashes are anything to go by, this one is going to be a doozy.
Download Your 2026 NRL Team Poster here!
Match: Panthers v Bulldogs
Round 26 -
home Team
Panthers
2nd Position
away Team
Bulldogs
9th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 26 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
Enari Tuala returns on the wing after missing last week's game with a knee injury. Utility Kurt Mann (groin) is sidelined so Jack Underhill has been added to the six-man bench.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
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Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Matt Burton
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Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLeanCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Bronson Xerri
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari Tuala
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack ColeFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Stephen Crichton
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Freddy LussickHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 Liam HenryProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 Lindsay SmithLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Billy ScottInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jake Turpin
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott SorensenInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Alekolasimi Jones
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Luke GarnerInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy PhillipsInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Josh Curran
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Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Blaize TalagiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Sean O'Sullivan
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Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Jaxen EdgarInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Jack Underhill
Reserves
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Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Kalani Leuluai-GoingReserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Logan Spinks
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Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Tom AleReserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Jed Reardon
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Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Jesse McLeanReserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Cooper Toy
Panthers Ins
- Blaize Talagi
- Jaxen Edgar
- Jesse McLean
- Kalani Leuluai-Going
- Tom Ale
Bulldogs Ins
- Cooper Toy
- Enari Tuala
- Jack Underhill
- Jed Reardon
- Logan Spinks
Panthers Outs
- Jack Cogger
- Luron Patea
Bulldogs Ins
- Jonathan Sua
- Kurt Mann
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Jack Cole takes over at five-eighth with Jack Cogger serving a three-game ban for a careless high tackle. Blaize Talagi has been added to the bench after playing NSW Cup the past two weeks while impressive young fullback Jaxen Edgar also joins the interchange.
History vs Panthers and Last Time Out: Round 6, 2026
Another classic Western Sydney derby is among us, and for over 60 years the Bulldogs and Panthers have fought out some classic matches.
Over 106 matches, the Bulldogs hold the ledger with 55 wins against the Panthers' 48.
Famous matches include the 2004 and 2014 Preliminary Finals victories, and you can add our last clash to that list.
NRL Match Highlights: Bulldogs v Panthers - Round 6, 2026
With the Panthers soaring high in the early rounds of the competition, Cameron Ciraldo's side put them to the test in a dominant 32-16 victory at Accor Stadium.
This week presents an opportunity to not only back up their effort in Round 6, but complete a clean-sweep of their opponents since 2009.
Key Match Up: Star Centres Set to Shine
Matt Burton will have his hands full as he matches up against gun centre Casey McLean in this do-or-die clash.
Burton has been a presence out wide in the Blue and White - proving he is a team-first player having shifted between his usual left and right side depending on what is required of him.
The mercurial Burton has been a revelation since his move to the centres, scoring five tries, setting up four while averaging 131 metres per match in his last nine contests.
Vintage Burton Burns Dragons
But it's not every week you face up against a Kiwi International, and McLean will be a stern test for the Bulldogs to maintain
The 20-year-old Origin representative's last nine contests has seen him score five tries, set up three more and average 130 metres per match.
No matter if they're face-to-face or across the field, Burton and McLean have the x-factor to dictate the outcome of the match, so keep an eye on the men in the centres.
What They Said: Matt Burton & Connor Tracey
Matt Burton Round 26 Media
Connor Tracey Round 26 Media
Stat Attack via NRL.com
- Bulldogs back-rower Jacob Preston has scored six tries in his last four games against the Panthers.
- The Bulldogs will be aiming to claim two wins against Penrith in the same season since 2009.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored six tries in his last eight games against the Bulldogs.
- Panthers second-rower Isaiah Papali’i will achieve his 200 NRL game milestone.
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.
