Neds Match Preview: Round 21

Author: Michael Blok
Timestamp: Sat 7 Aug 2021, 01:58 PM

If Wests Tigers are to be playing finals footy in 2021, beating Canterbury-Bankstown on Sunday afternoon is non-negotiable.

Two wins outside the top eight with five rounds to play, Wests Tigers know the importance of their Round 21 clash against the last-placed Bulldogs.

Michael Maguire’s men will be eager to turn their fortunes around following last week’s disappointing loss to the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.

With Daine Laurie ruled out for the remainder of the season with a broken leg, Moses Mbye has been tasked with wearing the number one on his back — a position he’s more than comfortable in filling, having spent majority of the pre-season there before Laurie arrived at the club.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will be looking to snap a six-game losing streak and will need plenty of improvement following Monday’s 34-6 loss to Gold Coast.

Trent Barrett’s men, who have won just two games this season, have scored the fewest points (242) and conceded the most (600) across the competition in 2021.

CONFIRMED TEAM LISTS

Bulldogs: Rookie Bailey Biondi-Odo will get his first NRL start at five-eighth with Jake Averillo shifting to halfback. The only late change to the side is Dylan Napa starting in the front row, with Ava Seumanufagai coming off the bench. Rookie outside back Watson Heleta has been named as 18th Man.

Wests Tigers: No late changes with Moses Mbye shifting to fullback for Daine Laurie. James Tamou and Thomas Mikaele both return in a boost for the forward pack, while Zac Cini comes on to the bench for his first game since Round 9.

Round 21 - Round 21 - Sunday 8 Aug

Full Time

Bulldogs

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Nick Meaney

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses Mbye
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Corey Allan

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Will Hopoate

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Michael Chee Kam
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Aaron Schoupp

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Tommy Talau
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Falakiko Manu

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken Maumalo
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Bailey Biondi-Odo

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam Doueihi
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Jake Averillo

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Jack Hetherington

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob Liddle
Prop for Bulldogs is number 15 Dylan Napa

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 James Tamou
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Shawn Blore
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Adam Elliott

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Jackson

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Thomas Mikaele

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 8 Ava Seumanufagai

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Alex Twal
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Sione Katoa

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Zac Cini
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Chris Patolo

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Joe Ofahengaue
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Matt Doorey

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Kelma Tuilagi