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Bulldogs v Dragons: Galvin set to start; Good news on forwards
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Bulldogs v Dragons: Galvin set to start; Good news on forwards

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ljmpta.com
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The Bulldogs remain well within touch of a first minor premiership since 2012 and they will be in no mood to let the Dragons knock them off course.

With four home games at Accor Stadium in the run home the Bulldogs can count on a wave of blue and white support as they charge towards September and a crack at the premiership.

The Dragons, meanwhile, are left to rue the ones got away in 2025 - losing five games by six points or less and taking the Roosters to the wire in a seven-point loss last weekend.

If the Red V can get on a roll they still have a realistic shot at the top eight and taking down one of the heavyweights in Round 20 would be the ideal launching pad for a late charge.

Team News

Bulldogs: Lachlan Galvin has earned a recall to the Bulldogs side and will start at halfback on Saturday. Matt Burton has been named at five-eighth and Toby Sexton shifts to the extended squad. Origin duo Stephen Crichton and Kurt Mann will return after sitting out last week, with Crichton replacing the injured Bronson Xerri in the centres and Mann named on the bench. Rookie Jethro Rinakama retains his place on the wing after last week's impressive debut, while Daniel Suluka-Fifita has been named in the reserves and is a chance of making his return from a concussion after making a successful comeback through NSW Cup last week. Sitili Tupouniua is also a chance of returning from a hamstring injury and is in the extended squad. 

Dragons: Hamish Stewart (knee) and Luciano Leilua (laceration) have been named in the 17 despite picking up injuries in last week's loss to the Roosters. Leilua will start in the back row, with Stewart set to come off the bench. There are no changes to the side from last week's game. Mat Feagai is a chance of making his return from a long-term ankle injury and has been named in the extended squad after making a successful comeback in NSW Cup last week. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Tyrell Sloan
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Enari Tuala
    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses Suli
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine Holmes
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jethro Rinakama
    Winger for Dragons is number 5 Sione Finau
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Lyhkan King-Togia
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
    Prop for Dragons is number 8 Emre Guler
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
    Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
    Prop for Dragons is number 10 David Klemmer
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
    Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
    Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Harry Hayes
    Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Blake Lawrie
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Josh Curran
    Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Hamish Stewart
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Bailey Hayward
    Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Michael Molo

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Sitili Tupouniua
    Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Corey Allan
  • Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Blake Wilson
    Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Loko Pasifiki Tonga
  • Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
    Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Lachlan Ilias
  • Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Kurtis Morrin
    Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Mathew Feagai
  • Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Toby Sexton
    Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Nick Tsougranis

Bulldogs Ins

  • Daniel Suluka-Fifita
  • Kurt Mann
  • Lachlan Galvin
  • Sitili Tupouniua
  • Stephen Crichton

Dragons Ins

  • Lachlan Ilias
  • Loko Pasifiki Tonga
  • Mathew Feagai
  • Nick Tsougranis

Bulldogs Outs

  • Bronson Xerri

Dragons Ins

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Bulldogs have won their last four games against the Dragons.
  • The Dragons have not won at Accor Stadium since 2019.
  • Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri has scored six tries in five games against the Dragons.
  • The Dragons have won only two from eight away from home this season.
  • Bulldogs second-rower Viliame Kikau has an 8-0 winning record against the Dragons.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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