Bulldogs v Panthers preview

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

On the brink Bulldogs meet purr-fect Panthers

The out-of-sorts Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will face their fiercest test of the season when they host the undefeated Penrith Panthers at Accor Stadium on Thursday evening.

Coming under fire for off-field drama and performances unbecoming of their standards on the field, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will be aiming to gauge their standing among the NRL hierarchy with a hard-edged performance on home soil.

Squandering a halftime lead, compounded by the loss of captain Stephen Crichton, to go down 32-24 to the Rabbitohs on Good Friday, coach Cameron Ciraldo has recalled Bronson Xerri into the backline and Harry Hayes onto the bench.

Losing nine of their past ten clashes against the Panthers this decade, the Bulldogs' sole victory during that period came last year when the Panthers elected to field a second-string side on the eve of the finals.

Much maligned playmaker Lachlan Galvin will make his 50th appearance in first grade on Thursday evening.

Riding high atop the premiership ladder with five wins from their opening five matches, the Penrith Panthers will be looking to continue their impressive start to the season with and without the ball.

Becoming the first team in 23 years to post a half century against the Storm with a 50-10 victory last Friday, coach Ivan Cleary will welcome back Mitch Kenny from suspension with Freddy Lussick dropping back to the extended bench.

Thursday night will see Nathan Cleary achieve another career milestone as he becomes only the 12th player to appear in 200 NRL matches for Penrith; the superstar co-captain made his debut a decade ago and has developed into one of the greatest players of the modern - or any - era.

The Panthers have enjoyed a strong record at Accor Stadium this decade winning 11 out of 15 matches, including three grand finals, while their overall record against the Bulldogs at the venue stands at ten wins and a draw from 18 fixtures.

Last meeting: Finals Week 2 2025 - Bulldogs 26 Panthers 46

Who to watch: Spending more time on the sidelines than on the field since making the move to Belmore at the start of last season, the Bulldogs will be looking for Stitili Tupouniua to go toe-to-toe with the Panthers' powerhouse pack. Running for just under 50 metres, despite scoring a try, as a starting forward last week, the 28-year-old has proven himself to be a destructive ball runner during his time with the Roosters and on the international stage with Tonga. Named to come off the bench for Thursday night's clash, the Bulldogs will need Tupouniua to increase his involvement if they are to pull of an upset.

Enjoying a day to remember with a hat-trick in his last outing against the Bulldogs last September, Paul Alamoti will be hoping to keep the tries coming on Thursday evening. Starting the year at right centre ahead of three-time premiership winner Izack Tago, the 22-year-old has justified his place in the team with performances that have balanced hard work and defence with attacking flair. Beginning his career in first grade with the Bulldogs three years ago only to be discarded after one season, Alamoti has thrived in the Panthers' system and will be eager to make that known to his former teammates.

Favourite: The Panthers have averaged more than twice as many points (38) than the Bulldogs (17.25) so far this season, and will be looking to flex those attacking muscles in a big way on Thursday evening.

MY TIP: While the Bulldogs' defensive record has remained respectable, conceding 20 points on average, to start the season, it's hard to see a path where they can match the premiership front-runners in a defensive grind or points scoring free-for-all. Penrith by 22.

Last meeting: Finals Week 2 2025 - Bulldogs 26 Panthers 46

Who to watch: Who to watch for the home side.

Who to watch for the away side.

The favourite: xxx

My tip: xxx

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 19. Jake Turpin 20. Lipoi Hopoi 23. Jethro Rinakama

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To'o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Billy Phillips 16. Scott Sorensen 17. Luke Garner 18. Izack Tago 19. Freddy Lussick

Referees: Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials: Drew Oultram, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski; Video Referees: Liam Kennedy;