Bulldogs v Cowboys: Xerri banned; Home final on the line

The Bulldogs bandwagon stuttered last round, with Manly halting their five-game winning streak and they will be keen to get back on track when they host the Cowboys.

Despite starting well, they were overtaken by the Sea Eagles who made them pay for their errors.

While they came away winners, North Queensland were pushed hard against a Storm side that had rested 11 of their regulars, but were eventually guided to victory by the by the playmaking skills of Tom Dearden and Reece Robson.

Departing winger and the club’s greatest try scorer Kyle Feldt also scored a double to help the side to a 38-30 win.

This week, Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton will return for the match after serving a one-match suspension, but they will be without centre Bronson Xerri, who has accepted one match ban with an early guilty plea for a Dangerous Contact charge.

With both sides playing finals this year, they will be be keen to head into the opening week with forward momentum behind them, while a win will also lock in hosting rights for the opening week of finals football.