The Warriors have been safely ensconced in the top four since Round 7 but losses to the Titans and Dolphins have suddenly left them vulnerable to the charging Panthers.
Sitting on 30 points with a 12-7 record the Warriors have just a point to spare from Penrith, who have found their mojo after a sluggish start to string together eight wins in a row.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, hit a hurdle of their own against Wests Tigers and have now gone 3-3 since their Round 16 bye, a far cry from their rampant 11-2 run up to Round 15.
The blue and whites won both matches against the Wahs in 2024, with a Matt Burton field goal in golden point getting them home 13-12 in the most recent clash.
The booming boot of the Bulldogs' No.6 will again be a key factor as Cameron Ciraldo's men look to control field position and wear the Warriors down in front of a boisterous home crowd at Accor Stadium.
Match: Bulldogs v Warriors
Round 23 -
home Team
Bulldogs
3rd Position
away Team
Warriors
5th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Bulldogs: No panic at Belmore with coach Cameron Ciraldo sticking with the same 17 that suffered a shock loss to Wests Tigers. Halfback Lachlan Galvin has been named to play despite battling hand and ankle niggles that may require painkilling needles. Toby Sexton is part of the extended squad and could get a recall should Galvin fail to come up.
Warriors: Chanel Harris-Tavita is back from a calf injury in the No.6 and James Fisher-Harris is part of the extended squad as he also eyes a return from a calf injury. Te Maire Martin slides back to the interchange after filling in at five-eighth last week and Freddy Lussick drops to 18th man. Prop Demitric Vaimauga is also back on deck from a knee injury but bench foward Jacob Laban (leg) and hooker Wayde Egan (shoulder) face lengthy stints on the sideline.
Match: Bulldogs v Warriors
Round 23 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Jacob KirazFullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jethro RinakamaWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Warriors is number 3 Adam Pompey
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Warriors is number 4 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari TualaWinger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan GalvinHalfback for Warriors is number 14 Te Maire Martin
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Warriors is number 10 Jackson Ford
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 17 Bailey HaywardHooker for Warriors is number 18 Freddy Lussick
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel HughesProp for Warriors is number 23 James Fisher-Harris
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Warriors is number 8 Marata Niukore
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman SalmonLock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed MahoneyInterchange for Warriors is number 9 Samuel Healey
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Harry HayesInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Josh CurranInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith
Reserves
-
Replacement for Bulldogs is number 21 Daniel Suluka-FifitaReplacement for Warriors is number 15 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have won only two of their past eight games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have won four of their last five games at Accor Stadium.
- The Bulldogs have won seven from nine at home this season.
- Warriors second-rower Leka Halasima has scored seven tries in his last eight games.
- Bulldogs fullback Jacob Kiraz has scored four tries in his last three games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
