Round 24: Bulldogs v Dolphins preview
Having won five or their past six matches the Bulldogs are aiming to slot into the top four, whilst the Dolphins are fighting to keep their finals chances alive.
The Bulldogs have won their past three matches in a row and have only lost won game, against the Cowboys, since Round 17. They are comfortably sitting inside the top eight but are fighting for a top four position, where they sit in fifth on 30 points and the Sharks and Roosters sit above them both of 30 points each. It's been a long time since the Bulldogs have played finals footy, but this year is a special one and something is quite definitely cooking for the Belmore club.
On the other side of the field, the Dolphins are fighting to make history, looking to make their first NRL finals appearance this year after joining the competition last year. Sean O'Sullivan's golden boot kicking a two-point field goal in golden points against the Warriors gave the Dolphins a top eight finish at the end of Round 23. The Dolphins have a slightly uphill battle to end the season, playing the Bulldogs, Storm, Broncos, and Knights.
Both sides only make minimal forced changes due to injuries and recovery. For the home side, Jaeman Salmon returns after suffering a jaw injury in Round 18, he joins the bench, which forces Lipoi Hopoi to become 18th man. With Mark Nicholls out due to a head knock, the Dolphins recall Lachlan Hubner to the bench for just his second NRL game, after debuting in Round 6 against the Broncos.
These two sides met once in the Dolphins inaugural season last year (also at Salter Oval in Bundaburg) and it was a close one, with the Bulldogs winning 23-22, with the extra point coming from a 39th minute Matt Burton field goal.
Last meeting: Round 22 2023 - Bulldogs 23 Dolphins 22
Who to watch: Becoming the Bulldogs permanent fullback in Round 7 this year against the Knights, Connor Tracey has scored five tries (including a hat trick against Brisbane), along with making ten try assists and nine-line break assists, which sees him second in total try assists for the Bulldogs and third in line break assists.
Opposite Tracey is Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who has played twelves matches for the Dolphins this year, scoring twelve tries and making three try assists, 59 tackle breaks and eight line breaks.
Both fullbacks will be ready to fire on the weekend, with Tracey's consistency and effort rewarding him with the starting FB position, and Tabuai-Fidow always ready to go the the Dolphins.
FAVOURITE: The Bulldogs are favoured to get the win and add another two points to their tally.
MY TIP: Right now the Bulldogs are on a winning roll and are red hot favourites, but I don't want to totally count the Dolphins out. If the Dolphins can put up a fight for the entire 80 minutes, it could be a close game in the end. (Maybe the writer is projecting, but then again the Phins winning ruins the Broncos minimal mathematical chance of making finals SO…)
Anyways, Dolphins by 6.
