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Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights Sunday 6:15pm at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

From 66-0 to top of the table

The unbeaten Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will look to remain on top of the premiership ladder when they host the Newcastle Knights in their first match at Accor Stadium this season.

Rising from the ashes of a 66-0 thrashing at the hands of their weekend opponents less than two years ago, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have undergone a remarkable transformation under coach Cameron Ciraldo to sit in outright first position with four wins to open the season.

Grinding the Sharks into submission with a 20-6 victory on the road last Saturday, the Bulldogs have named Kurtis Morrin in place of Sitili Tupouniua (suspension) while Jacob Kiraz could make his first appearance of the season after being included on the extended bench.

Utility forward Kurt Mann will play his 200th first grade game on Sunday night; the 32-year-old Queenslander joined the club from the Knights last season following earlier stints with the Storm and Dragons.

The Bulldogs have won nine out of 16 matches against the Knights at Accor Stadium, while a win on Sunday evening would see the club open a season with five consecutive wins for the first time since 1993.

Coming off a 15-day break since their last performance, the refreshed Newcastle Knights will be out to atone for a frustrated showing prior to last week's bye.

Going down to the Titans in a 26-6 defeat, marred by a 67% completion rate and a mounting injury toll, coach Adam O'Brien will welcome back Leo Thompson, at the expense of Brodie Jones, in the front-row.

The Knights have won five out of nine matches against the Bulldogs throughout O'Brien's tenure, along with two wins from five appearances at Accor Stadium during the same period.

Jack Hetherington will play his 50th game for the club, marking the first time the firebrand forward has reached the club milestone after previously playing with the Panthers, Warriors and Bulldogs.

Last Meeting: Round 13, 2024 - Newcastle Knights 2 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 32

Who to watch: Causing the Knights grief with and without the ball in both clashes last season, Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney will be aiming to get under the skin of the Newcastle opposition once again. Having a hand in five of his side's 12 tries scored against the Knights collectively last year, the 26-year-old proved equally as effective in goading Jack Hetherington and Jacob Saifiti into taking the bait of his gamesmanship. Beginning his third year in blue and white as one of the hardest working defensive players, averaging 41 tackles per game, look for Mahoney to feature prominently as the Bulldogs strive to maintain their unbeaten start to 2025.

Scoring more tries against the Bulldogs than any other team in the league, Bradman Best will have his sights set on keeping the four-pointers coming on Sunday evening. Crossing for seven tries in six matches against the Bulldogs, including his only career hat-trick in a performance that earned a debut NSW jersey, the 23-year-old powerhouse centre has been a force to be reckoned with over the opening rounds, running for nearly 200 metres on average. Facing off against fellow NSW centre Stephen Crichton in a positional battle that could decide the game, the Knights will be looking for Best to live up to his name as they strive to bounce back with a win.

Favourite: The Bulldogs are expected to remain unbeaten with a win to close out the round.

My tip: For as impressive as the Bulldogs have been over the opening month, there have been frailties in their defence. If the Knights can attack with the same fluency that tore the Dolphins apart, they will fancy their chances of pulling off an upset. Knights by 6.

1. Connor Tracey 23. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Jack Todd 20. Blake Taaffe 19. Lipoi Hopoi

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Thomas Cant 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Mathew Croker 18. Brodie Jones

Referees: Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials: Phil Henderson, Kieren Irons; Video Referees: Wyatt Raymond;