Neds Match Preview: Round 25
Wests Tigers will be aiming to close out the 2021 season with an impressive performance against Canterbury-Bankstown on Sunday afternoon at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe.
Having beaten the Bulldogs less than a month ago, Michael Maguire's men have an opportunity to claim four-straight wins over the blue and white for the first time in the club’s history.
Jock Madden was handed his first NRL start (second career match) last week against Penrith, and the young playmaker impressed against one of the elite teams in the competition.
Madden will get another opportunity to show his talent when he wears the number six on his back against the Bulldogs on Sunday as he partners Luke Brooks in the halves.
Stefano Utoikamanu will be looking to close out his impressive season with one more solid performance after he shined in Round 24 with a try and 120 metres.
Although the Bulldogs sit last on the ladder with just two wins for the season, they showed plenty of courage against the in-form Sea Eagles last week — and they'll be out to end their 10-game losing streak this time around.
Key match-up
Stefano Utoikamanu v Jack Hetherington
The young Wests Tiger has come of age in 2021, averaging 10 hit-ups and 100 metres per game as well as busting 35 tackles and crossing for six tries. He has been a shining light in another disappointing for Michael Maguire and will look to round out the season with another strong display. Hetherington may sail close to the wind at times but he refuses to take a backward step regardless of a rival's reputation, as he showed against Manly on Sunday. It's the last hurrah for both these sides so expect the forwards to leave nothing in the tank.
Stat attack
Wests Tigers can never be accused of letting their teammates take one-out runs. They have the most support runs, decoy runs and offloads in the NRL through 24 rounds.
Madden: 'It was good to get out there'
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Wests Tigers: A late change with Zac Cini moving to fullback in place of Moses Mbye (concussion). Otherwise unchanged with Jock Madden named at five-eighth.
Bulldogs: Also plenty of late changes with Jake Averillo returning at halfback for Kyle Flanagan. Dylan Napa starts at prop, moving Jack Hetherington to the back row and Corey Waddell back to the bench.
Match: Wests Tigers v Bulldogs
Round 25 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 20 Zac CiniFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Nick Meaney
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Corey Allan
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Tommy TalauCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Will Hopoate
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Michael Chee KamCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Aaron Schoupp
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken MaumaloWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jayden Okunbor
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jock MaddenFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Brandon Wakeham
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke BrooksHalfback for Bulldogs is number 21 Jake Averillo
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Ava Seumanufagai
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Sione Katoa
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Thomas MikaeleProp for Bulldogs is number 20 Dylan Napa
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 10 Jack Hetherington
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Joe Stimson
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Jackson
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Joe OfahengaueInterchange for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Jake SimpkinInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Ofahiki Ogden
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Tom AmoneInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Chris Patolo
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 23 Kelma TuilagiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jackson Topine
Reserves
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Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 18 James RobertsReserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Watson Heleta
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
MATCH DETAILS
Date — Sunday, 5th September, 2021
Time — 4:05pm AEST
Venue — Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
TV — Channel 9, FOX League (Ch.502)
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, FM 104.9 Triple M
Live Stream — 9Now, Kayo Sports, Watch NRL (int.)
LATEST NEDS ODDS
Head-to-Head — Wests Tigers ($1.46), Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ($2.75)
Line — Wests Tigers -6.5 ($1.90), Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs +6.5 ($1.90)
Odds correct as of 2:00pm, Tuesday, 31st August. 18+ only, Gamble responsibly.
HISTORY
Head-to-Head — Played 40, Wests Tigers 16, Canterbury-Bankstown 23, Draw 1
At Moreton Daily Stadium — Yet to play at the venue
Last Time They Met — Wests Tigers 28 def. Canterbury-Bankstown 16 (Rd.21, 2021)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee — Chris Sutton
Touch Judges — Phil Henderson & Kasey Badger
Bunker Review Official — Chris Butler
