Neds Match Preview: Round 21
Wests Tigers will be looking to build on last week's win over the North Queensland Cowboys when they take on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium.
Wests Tigers will no doubt be looking to continue their good form with Maguire’s men looking to further secure their position in the top eight after two good wins, while the Bulldogs head in to the game looking to continue their momentum after making a dent in Penrith’s play-off plans last weekend.
Despite a good preparation and long turnaround from a Thursday night win, the visitors were dealt a small set-back mid-week with Josh Aloiai ruled out for a period of time with a hand injury. With Russell Packer and Ben Matulino already sidelined, Maguire will instead turn to youth with Thomas Mikaele (21 years old) and Oliver Clark (22 years old) named to start against the Bulldogs.
Elijah Taylor is the new face brought on to the bench for tonight's game with Tommy Talau and Chris McQueen retained in the 19-man squad as reserves.
Having played the full 80 minutes in the past two weeks, Robbie Farah will again feature as the sole hooker on Saturday with Jacob Liddle — who recently announced a contract extension with the club — to instead play Canterbury Cup.
Brooks full of praise for Liddle future
Wests Tigers have named four forwards on the bench for tonight's crucial clash including Alex Twal, who will play his 50th NRL game for the club.
For the Bulldogs, Adam Elliott is out with a finger injury with Chris Smith moving to lock as his replacement. Raymond Faitala-Mariner comes onto the bench for his first game since Round 14 while Kieran Foran's continued recovery from injury sees Jack Cogger partner Lachlan Lewis in the halves once again.
Historically, Wests Tigers have lost four of their last six clashes against the Bulldogs and went down to Dean Pay's side when they met earlier this season.
Despite their lowly ladder position, the Bulldogs head in to tonight's game with the best completion rate in the NRL and Maguire's side will again need to remain patient if they are to secure a third straight win for the first time this season.
MATCH DETAILS
Date — Saturday, August 10
Time — 7:35 pm AEST
Venue — ANZ Stadium
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
TV — Live via FOX League (Ch.502) and Channel 9
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand and AM 873 2GB
Live Stream — Foxtel Go, 9NOW, KAYO, NRL Digital Pass, and Watch NRL (int.)
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs — Adam Elliott is sidelined with a finger injury and his place at lock is taken by Chris Smith while Raymond Faitala-Mariner comes on to the bench for his first game since round 14.
Wests Tigers — Having originally been named in the run-on side at prop, Josh Aloiai has been ruled out with injury and will be replaced in the 21-man squad by Chris McQueen. McQueen will come in to the squad in jersey 24 with Thomas Mikaele to start.
Match: Bulldogs v Wests Tigers
Round 21 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Corey Thompson
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Nick MeaneyWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Paul Momirovski
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Kerrod HollandCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Moses Mbye
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Will HopoateCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Esan Marsters
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Reimis SmithWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 David Nofoaluma
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Jack CoggerFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji Marshall
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan LewisHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Aiden TolmanProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Oliver Clark
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Michael LichaaHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Robbie Farah
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Dylan NapaProp for Wests Tigers is number 15 Thomas Mikaele
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Harawira-Naera2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Michael Chee Kam
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Chris SmithLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Ryan Matterson
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jeremy Marshall-KingInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Matthew Eisenhuth
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Renouf AtoniInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Danny FualaloInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Chris Lawrence
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Raymond Faitala-MarinerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 20 Elijah Taylor
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Referee: Chris Butler
Last updated:
LATEST NEDS ODDS
H2H — Wests Tigers ($1.55), Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ($2.40)
Line — Wests Tigers -4.5 ($1.90), Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs +4.5 ($1.90)
Odds correct on Thursday, August 8 — 18+ only and gamble responsibly.
NRL.com preview Bulldogs clash
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Overall — Played 35, Bulldogs 22, Wests Tigers 13
At ANZ Stadium — Played 22, Bulldogs 13, Wests Tigers 9
Last Time They Met —Bulldogs 22 def. Wests Tigers 8 (Rd.3, 2019)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Match Referees — Peter Gough and Chris Butler
Touch Judges — Michael Wise and Mark Bohan
Review Officials — Bryan Norrie and Steve Clark
