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Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Dolphins Thursday 7:50pm at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

Luckless Dolphins meet dangerous Dogs

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will play host to the Dolphins at Homebush this Thursday night to kick off a short, bye-effected, round 12. The Bulldogs are sitting pretty at the top of the NRL table, and a win against the Dolphins would be their fourth win on the trot. Dolphins fans have been suffering through some awfully close games, and will be feeling like it's about time some luck went their way. The upcoming State of Origin opener has seen some significant changes to both sides, and perhaps gives the Dolphins a small advantage. 

Canterbury were made to work extremely hard to come away with the two points against the Sydney Roosters last week. Coming out 24-20 victors, it was a try to Matt Burton in the 73rd minute which proved the difference. Despite the win, their scoreless first half performance will undoubtedly be a cause of concern for the Bulldogs. Showing the resilience required to overcome that 14-0 half-time deficit is perhaps even more important than a full 80 minute performance at this stage of the season, however there is still room for improvement. 

There are a number of forced changes to the Bulldogs 17 this week brought on by State of Origin preparations. Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton, prop Max King, and lock Kurt Mann are the representative players missing, whilst injuries to Jacob Kiraz and Daniel Suluka-Fifita bring about a real test of the Bulldogs' depth. Josh Curran's suspension has come to an end so he slots into the front row, with Lipoi Hopoi upgraded to the other starting prop position. Blake Wilson plugs the gap on the wing, Bailey Heyward in at lock, and Blake Taaffe in at centre for his first start of the NRL season. The bench is filled up by Jake Turpin and Sam Hughes.

In front of a home crowd of over 30,000, the Dolphins fell just short last week against the NZ Warriors. Defeated 16-12, their efforts were ultimately too little too late. They were trailing 16-0 by the 70th minute mark, but tries to the Hammer and Herbie Farnworth in quick succession, as well as the sin-binning of James Fisher-Harris, almost brought the win into their grasp. In the end though, it was a whopping 16 errors (to NZ's 8) that cost them, and if they want to push for finals they will need to start delivering full 80 minute performances.

With Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow whisked away to Maroons camp, it's Jake Averillo who receives the nod and the number one jersey this Thursday. Max Feagai plugs the gap that he leaves behind in the centres. A pectoral injury to Tom Gilbert promotes Connelly Lemuelu to a starting back row position, with Oryn Keeley the new face on the bench.

Canterbury-Bankstown stand as the only club remaining in the NRL who the Dolphins have never recorded a win against, with the two sides having only played each other twice in the two full seasons since ‘Redcliffe's' admission.

Last meeting: Round 24 2024 - Bulldogs 30 Dolphins 10

Who to watch: Bulldogs forward Luke Smith has been named to make his second NRL appearance on Thursday after debuting last week. Coming off the bench, Smith played 27 minutes in his team's win against Easts. The 22 year old was the captain of Canterbury's premiership-winning 2024 Jersey Flegg side and he will be aiming to impress Cameron Ciraldo in order to hold down his spot in the top grade, even when the Dogs have access to their full contingent. Smith also has experience in the centres, and with Stephen Crichton out, could potentially play some minutes in that role on Thursday. 

Jake Averillo has played the full 80 minutes in all eleven games of the Dolphins' season so far, showing great consistency. Normally playing at centre, he has been handed the keys to the fullback role this Thursday due to the absence of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. The 24 year old started his career at Canterbury-Bankstown, making 78 appearances for them all up before joining the Dolphins at the start of the 2024 season. Up against his old club and playing out of position, this match will certainly be a challenge for Averillo, a challenge that coach Woolf clearly thinks he's up for. 

Favourite: The ladder-leading Bulldogs are the strong favourites to take away the two points.

My tip: While it's clear that Canterbury are far from flawless, it'd take quite the effort from 14th-placed Redcliffe to overpower them. Despite losing a few players to Origin duty, I can't see the Bulldogs losing this one. Bulldogs by 14.

1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Blake Taaffe 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Lipoi Hopoi 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Harry Hayes 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Jake Turpin 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Luke Smith 21. Jack Underhill 20. Jonathan Sua

1. Jake Averillo 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone 14. Harrison Graham 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Josh Kerr 17. Oryn Keeley 18. Sean O'Sullivan 21. Junior Tupou

Referees: Todd Smith; Sideline Officials: Chris Sutton, Dave Munro; Video Referees: Adam Gee;