Bulldogs v Panthers: Xerri recalled; Kenny back from ban
After starting the season with two wins the Bulldogs have now lost two straight and must confront the red-hot Panthers without skipper Stephen Crichton who is nursing a knee injury.
So dominant have the Panthers been that their points differential of +150 is highest in premiership history after five rounds and right now it's hard to see how anyone will shut them down.
If the Bulldogs are to be the first team to lower Penrith's colours they will need a massive lift in defensive intensity after giving up 56 points in their losses to the Knights and Rabbitohs.
The last time these sides met was the 2025 semi-final at Accor Stadium and it was the Panthers piling on 46 points to march into a preliminary final and end the Dogs' season in the process.
With Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards and Isaah Yeo at the peak of their powers, the Panthers look hell bent on reclaiming their crown after missing the grand final last year for the first time since 2019.
Match: Bulldogs v Panthers
Round 6 -
home Team
Bulldogs
9th Position
away Team
Panthers
1st Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Bulldogs: Bronson Xerri's exile is over as he comes in for injured skipper Stephen Crichton (shoulder). Prop Harry Hayes joins the interchange after his return from concussion was delayed last week. Jake Turpin is the new face on the six-man bench. Winger Jethro Rinakama is listed among the reserves after returning from a shoulder injury in NSW Cup last week.
Panthers: Just the one change for the ladder leaders with Mitch Kenny returning from suspension to take over from Freddy Lussick at hooker. Izack Tago is also part of the extended squad as he continues his wait for a first NRL appearance since last year's preliminary final.
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
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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 21 Alekolasimi JonesReserve for Panthers is number 20 Sione Fonua
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Logan SpinksReserve for Panthers is number 21 Kalani Going
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Jethro RinakamaReserve for Panthers is number 22 Jack Cole
Bulldogs Ins
- Alekolasimi Jones
- Harry Hayes
- Jake Turpin
- Jethro Rinakama
Panthers Ins
- Jack Cole
- Kalani Going
- Mitch Kenny
- Sione Fonua
Bulldogs Outs
- 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:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their past 10 games against the Panthers.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 13 tries in 15 games at Accor Stadium.
- Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored five tries in his last three games against the Panthers.
- Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary will make his 200th NRL appearance.
- The Bulldogs have conceded 126 points in four consecutive losses at Accor Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
