Bulldogs v Dragons preview

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Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v St George Illawarra Dragons Saturday 5:30pm at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

All eyes on will be on Lachlan Galvin and Matt Burton as the Bulldogs commit to their long-term halves pairing for Saturday's game against the Dragons. 

The Bulldogs bounced back from two-straight losses last week with a gritty 12-8 win over the Cowboys, although it was a third round in a row that Cameron Ciraldo's side had struggled for cohesion in attack.

While the Bulldogs had experimented with Galvin off the bench, the return of Jaeman Salmon from injury left Ciraldo with plenty of versatile options for both the starting side and interchange along with Bailey Hayward and Kurt Mann.

It also left Ciraldo needing to make a decision - either leaving Galvin out completely, as was the case in the win over North Queensland, or looking towards both the present and future by promoting the former Tiger to the halfback jersey.

He ended up going with the latter and against a Dragons team that hasn't conceded less than 20 points since late May, the expectation will be a far better showing in attack on Saturday afternoon.

Of course, there will be some teething issues as Galvin builds combinations but the hope, at least for Ciraldo, is that it will leave the Bulldogs in a stronger position come the finals when you don't want to be tinkering with the line-up.

In other team news, Origin duo Stephen Crichton and Kurt Mann have both been named after being rested from the game against the Cowboys.

Crichton's return is a welcome one with Bronson Xerri (groin) unavailable. 

As for the Dragons, they put in a strong effort against the Roosters only to come up short in a high-scoring thriller 31-24.

A top-eight berth is quickly slipping away for Shane Flanagan's side, sitting four points adrift of the Roosters and with a far inferior for-and-against, effectively meaning they need to win three more games than the Tricolours to run them down.

The Dragons have named an unchanged line-up for Saturday's game despite both Hamish Stewart (knee) and Luciano Leilua (laceration) picking up injuries in the loss to the Roosters, while Mat Feagai (ankle) is on the extended bench and a chance of returning in the backline.

Last meeting: Round 1 2025 - Dragons 20 Bulldogs 28

Who to watch: Who else? Galvin has become a walking human headline and that is what happens when you have as dramatic an exit as the teenage playmaker did from the Tigers. But more than anything, forgetting what happened with the Tigers, Galvin has been brought to the Tigers as the potential missing piece in a team that is capable of contending for the premiership. It has been an awkward fit at times, largely due to the fact he has been brought onto the field mid-game, but when Galvin has started he has looked far more comfortable. Now he will have soon-to-be regular halves partner Matt Burton alongside him to do most of the general kicking, which should free Galvin up to play off-the-cuff and challenge the line with his running game. It won't be perfect but Ciraldo and the Bulldogs have committed to him this season.

The Bulldogs have an incredibly versatile bench, but it is also a bit light and that is where the Dragons and could find an advantage if they keep this game tight early. Michael Molo in particular has played his way into the conversation for a starting role, having impressed in last week's game against the Roosters with an incredibly effective 27-minute stint which saw him rack up 94 metres, including 42 post-contact. It wasn't just that game either. The week prior against Canberra when promoted to the second row he was still equally impactful in 80 minutes, pumping out 102 metres to go with 44 tackles (just one missed). With the Dragons' season fast slipping away it may soon make sense to give Molo more of an extended run to see what they have in him, especially considering he is off-contract at the end of the year. 

Favourite: The Bulldogs are well-backed to continue their winning ways.

My tip: While the attack isn't exactly humming, the Bulldogs looked a much-improved defensive unit last week and were also brilliant on their own line against the Panthers. Against a leaky Dragons defence, it should be a comfortable win for Ciraldo's side. Bulldogs by 18.

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Sitili Tupouniua 20. Blake Wilson 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Toby Sexton

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Sione Finau 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Michael Molo 18. Corey Allan 19. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Mathew Feagai 22. Nicholas Tsougranis

Referees: Adam Gee; Sideline Officials: David Munro, Jon Stone; Video Referees: Grant Atkins;