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Bulldogs v Panthers: Crichton chases miracle; Moses' milestone

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ljmpta.com
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The wounded Bulldogs face a huge task against a Panthers side growing in belief as they eye an incredible fifth straight premiership.

The Bulldogs have now lost four of their past five games and the lone victory came in Round 26 against a Panthers side missing 16 of its regular first-graders.

The premiers on the other hand are taking on an ominous look after eliminating the Warriors on the back of a Nathan Cleary kicking masterclass and a combined 83 runs and 796 metres from their back five.

Looking to become the first side to win the competition from outside the top four, and the first side since St George in the 50s and 60s to win five straight premierships, the Panthers have a sense of destiny about them in 2025.

With a monster crowd on hand at Accor Stadium this promises to be a battle for the ages between the champions and a legitimate contender to their crown.

Team News

Bulldogs: A number of changes forced by injury with Matt Burton sliding to the centres to replace skipper Stephen Crichton, who is listed among the reserves despite nursing an ankle injury that it was initially feared had ended his season. Lachlan Galvin takes over from Burton in the No.6 jersey and Toby Sexton starts at halfback. Bronson Xerri (concussion) returns in the centres while Reed Mahoney has earned a recall on the bench. Winger Marcelo Montoya (ankle) is also part of the extended squad as he pushes to return after missing the loss to Melbourne.

Panthers: Ivan Cleary has named the same 17 that got the job done in Auckland last week with hooker Mitch Kenny listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him last week. Tom Jenkins is again listed as the 18th man. Four-time premiership winner Moses Leota makes his 200th NRL appearance.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
    Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
    Winger for Panthers is number 2 Paul Alamoti
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
    Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Matt Burton
    Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jethro Rinakama
    Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
    Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton
    Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
    Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
    Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Luke Sommerton
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Josh Curran
    Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
    Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
    Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Brad Schneider
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
    Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Liam Henry
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
    Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Isaiah Papali'i
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Reed Mahoney
    Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Luke Garner

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Blake Wilson
    Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Thomas Jenkins
  • Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Jake Turpin
    Reserve for Panthers is number 19 Matthew Eisenhuth
  • Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Samuel Hughes
    Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Daine Laurie
  • Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Marcelo Montoya
    Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Mavrik Geyer
  • Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Stephen Crichton
    Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Mitch Kenny

Bulldogs Ins

  • Bronson Xerri
  • Jake Turpin
  • Marcelo Montoya
  • Reed Mahoney
  • Samuel Hughes

Panthers Ins

  • Daine Laurie
  • Matthew Eisenhuth
  • Mavrik Geyer
  • Mitch Kenny

Bulldogs Outs

  • Enari Tuala

Panthers Ins

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Bulldogs have won only two of their past seven games.
  • The Panthers have won eight of their last nine games against the Bulldogs.
  • The Bulldogs have less than half of the finals experience of the Panthers team.
  • Panthers prop Moses Leota will make his 200th NRL appearance.
  • Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored four tries in his last two games against the Panthers.

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

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