You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content
Match Preview

Bulldogs v Roosters: Jackson, Naden ruled out; Naiqama, Keighran in

Author
jetwinvip.com
Timestamp

The last-placed Bulldogs host a Roosters team that will no doubt be stinging after their hard-fought Anzac Day loss to the Roosters.

The Saturday evening Accor Stadium clash provides both sides with a chance at redemption after letting winnable games slip in round seven.

For the Bulldogs, who led for half the game against the Broncos until a final quarter capitulation, the message will be around maintaining their efforts for the entire game. 

For the Roosters, who almost ran down the Dragons after being manhandled early after suffering similar early treatment at the hands of the Warriors a week prior, the start will no doubt be the focus.

Sportsbet Betting preview: Bulldogs v Roosters

The Rundown

Team news

Bulldogs: Captain Josh Jackson has been ruled out of the clash after testing positive to COVID-19 with Max King moving from the bench to the starting side and Billy Tsikrikas added to the interchange. Jackson Topine is 18th man.

Winger Brent Naden had been named to return after missing last week's game due to COVID but he was withdrawn on Friday and is replaced by Jayden Okunbor. 

Jake Averillo and Ava Seumanufagai return from a COVID lay-off.

Roosters: Paul Momirosvski is a late withdrawal on game day due to illness and his place in the centres is taken by Adam Keighran.

Kevin Naiqama comes onto the wing for the suspended Daniel Tupou. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley are back in the run-on side with Siosiua Taukeiaho and Nat Butcher to start from the bench.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Matthew Dufty
    Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
    Winger for Roosters is number 2 Kevin Naiqama
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Aaron Schoupp
    Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Jake Averillo
    Centre for Roosters is number 22 Adam Keighran
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 21 Jayden Okunbor
    Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
    Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sam Walker
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
    Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke Keary

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Luke Thompson
    Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
    Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul Vaughan
    Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 16 Max King
    Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Biondi-Odo
    Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Drew Hutchison
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Joe Stimson
    Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Fletcher Baker
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Ava Seumanufagai
    Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Billy Tsikrikas
    Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Siosiua Taukeiaho

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 20 Jackson Topine
    Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Lachlan Lam

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ben Cummins
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Key match-up

Kyle Flanagan v Luke Keary: the two halfbacks were halves partners at the Tricolours in 2020. Each has had a bit of a rocky time since, Keary largely through injury and Flanagan trying to find his feet at the struggling Bulldogs, each will be pivotal to their side's hopes on Saturday. Keary is still looking for his best form after an interrupted pre-season while Flanagan, finally recalled, has been close to his side's best in the past three weeks. 

Stat attack

Roosters left-edge half Sam Walker has missed an NRL-high 31 tackles but the Bulldogs may still want to consider attacking the other side of the field, where the Roosters missed a combined 14 tackles between Luke Keary (two), Angus Crichton (four) and Joey Manu (eight) against the Dragons.

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on. 

Premier Partner

Media Partners

Major Partners

View All Partners