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Bulldogs v Knights: Averillo out; Frizell banned

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pan66.com
Timestamp

After surviving a tense battle with the Sharks to remain in the top eight, the Knights can't afford a slip-up against the bottom-placed Bulldogs.

With the Knights' points differential the worst of the seven teams battling for the last two spots in the eight, finishing in a tie for eighth spot isn't an option.

The Bulldogs will again search for some positives to end another unhappy season.

The arrival of more than half a team's worth of talent before the 2022 campaign means those on the books now need to prove their worth.

Going back to last year, Canterbury have won five of their last 41 matches.

The rundown

Team news

Bulldogs: Lachlan Lewis starts at five-eighth in place of Jake Averillo, who is out with a foot problem and a calf strain.

Corey Allan, a late withdrawal due to illness on Sunday, is back on deck and straight into the starting side.

Matt Doorey is 18th man, with Watson Heleta dropping out of the squad an hour before kick-off. Falakiko Manu and Chris Patolo were left out on Friday.

The Bulldogs have won eight of their past 10 games against the Knights.

Knights: Tyson Frizell has accepted a one-game ban for a high tackle on Sharks fullback Will Kennedy with Brodie Jones stepping up to start in his place.

The loss of Daniel Saifiti to a knee injury sees David Klemmer move in to the starting side.

Jirah Momoisea will make his NRL debut from the bench after overcoming a ruptured Achilles earlier this year.

Chris Randall will provide utility cover from the bench this week with Roosters-bound livewire Connor Watson to start.

Nathaniel Sasagi is the 18th man. Pasami Saulo dropped off the reserves list on game day after Jack Johns and Phoenix Crossland were omitted 24 hours before the game.

The Knights are aiming for two wins in a season against the Bulldogs for the first time since 2013.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Nick Meaney
    Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Corey Allan
    Winger for Knights is number 2 Enari Tuala
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Will Hopoate
    Centre for Knights is number 3 Kurt Mann
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Aaron Schoupp
    Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jayden Okunbor
    Winger for Knights is number 5 Hymel Hunt
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 21 Lachlan Lewis
    Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jake Clifford
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
    Halfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Luke Thompson
    Prop for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jackson Topine
    Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Ryan James
    Prop for Knights is number 10 Jacob Saifiti
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Adam Elliott
    2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Brodie Jones
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Waddell
    2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Jackson
    Lock for Knights is number 13 Connor Watson

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Biondi-Odo
    Interchange for Knights is number 14 Sauaso Sue
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Ava Seumanufagai
    Interchange for Knights is number 15 Josh King
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Corey Horsburgh
    Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jirah Momoisea
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Joe Stimson
    Interchange for Knights is number 17 Chris Randall

Reserves

  • Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Matt Doorey
    Reserve for Knights is number 21 Simi Sasagi

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key match-up

Luke Thompson v David Klemmer. Thompson returns from suspension and Klemmer is likely to shoulder more of the load considering the knee injury suffered by Daniel Saifiti last weekend. Both these players love to lead forward packs with their actions, not words.

Stat attack

Points could be at a premium in this one. The Bulldogs have the lowest return in 2021 (268 in 21 games), and the Knights are 15th on that table with 369.

 

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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.