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Bulldogs v Dragons: Sexton in; Leilua back on deck

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The Canterbury Bulldogs are seeking an immediate rebound as they return home to face the St George Illawarra Dragons in the opening game of NRL Indigenous Round. 

Cameron Ciraldo's side allowed an eight-point lead slip when they fell to the Raiders last weekend and they are eager to produce a much-improved showing. 

The match will provide the final opportunity for Origin hopefuls on both sides to put their hands up for NSW and Queensland selection. 

Bulldogs trio Matt Burton, Josh Addo-Carr and Stephen Crichton are in the mix for the Blues while St George Illawarra's Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su'A are eyeing a Maroons call up, with Zac Lomax also in NSW contention.

The Dragons will be fresh coming into the game after enjoying the bye during Magic Round and are set to welcome back Luciano Leilua from a calf injury.

It will be an emotional evening for St George Illawarra fullback and proud Wiradjuri man Tyrell Sloan as he faces off against close friend Josh Addo-Carr. 

The Bulldogs winger has guided the youngster throughout a tough initiation into the top flight after they met at the Koori Knockout a few years ago.

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Team News

Bulldogs: A late change sees Drew Hutchison drop out with Toby Sexton called into the halves alongside Matt Burton. Kurt Mann (rested) was ruled out on Wednesday and is now replaced in the starting side by Bailey Hayward, with Josh Curran shifting to the bench and Jake Turpin joining the side. After being hospitalised with a staph infection last week which saw him miss Magic Round, Jaeman Salmon returns to the line-up and will start in the second row. Blake Wilson is 18th man.

Dragons: Just one change to the 17 who took the field in the club’s last game prior to their Round 11 bye, with Luciano Leilua returning from injury on the bench at the expense of Ben Murdoch-Masila. Fullback Tyrell Sloan and winger Zac Lomax each have seven tries in 10 games so far this season. No late changes ahead of kick off with Alec Tuitavake named as 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Zac Lomax
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Jack Bird
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
    Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 23 Toby Sexton
    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
    Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
    Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
    Prop for Dragons is number 10 Hame Sele
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tom Eisenhuth
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Hayward
    Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran
    Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Fa'amanu Brown
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis Morrin
    Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Blake Lawrie
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jacob Preston
    Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Raymond   Faitala-Mariner
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 21 Jake Turpin
    Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Luciano Leilua

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Blake Wilson
    Replacement for Dragons is number 20 Alec Tuitavake

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Bulldogs have won seven of their past nine games against the Dragons at Accor Stadium.
  • The Dragons have won only one of their past six games at Accor Stadium.
  • The Bulldogs are aiming for four straight wins at Accor Stadium for the first time since 2016.
  • Dragons centre Zac Lomax has kicked two two-point field goals in his past four games.
  • Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 22 tries in 24 games at Accor Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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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.