After Trent Barrett resigned as coach on Monday the Bulldogs have just four days to regroup ahead of their clash with a Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.
Despite the upheaval the Bulldogs must find a way to turn their form around under interim coach Mick Potter and climb off the bottom of the ladder, while the Tigers are equally desperate after three straight losses.
Sitting 15th and 16th with two wins apiece, both sides head into the Friday night clash under extreme pressure and looking to recapture the buzz that carried them to memorable wins in recent weeks - the Tigers over Parramatta and Souths in round six and seven, and the Dogs over the Roosters in round eight.
The Bulldogs are averaging less than 10 points per game and have struggled for any kind of fluency in attack even with star recruits Josh Addo-Carr and Matt Burton roaming out wide.
The Tigers' output is only slightly better at 12.6 points per game and huge expectation will fall on the shoulders of Jackson Hastings to try and get things rolling.
With storylines aplenty for this round, the surprise signing of Brent Naden might just top them all. Naden, who was expected to line up for the Bulldogs this week, has been signed — effective immediately — by the Tigers, and wil make his club debut against his former side.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Wests Tigers v Bulldogs
The Rundown
Team news
Wests Tigers: Coach Michael Maguire has confirmed that new arrival Brent Naden will play against his former club despite remaining in the reserves for now. His inclusion will most likely push Tyrone Peachey back to the bench. Luke Garner will start in the back row after an impressive run of form in the centres, with Kelma Tuilagi dropping back to the interchange.
Bulldogs: A few changes for the visitors starting with star winger Josh Addo-Carr ruled out with the flu. Young gun Jacob Kiraz will start on the wing. Jackson Topine and Bailey Biondi-Odo have dropped out of the side, replaced by Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Zach Docker-Clay on the interchange. Max King starts at lock with Josh Jackson moving to the edge.
Match: Wests Tigers v Bulldogs
Round 11 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Starford To'aFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Matthew Dufty
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Junior TupouWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jayden Okunbor
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Tyrone PeacheyCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Aaron Schoupp
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 21 Brent NadenCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Jake Averillo
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken MaumaloWinger for Bulldogs is number 19 Jacob Kiraz
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jock MaddenFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jackson HastingsHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 James TamouProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Luke Thompson
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Zane MusgroveProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul Vaughan
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Jackson
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 15 Joe Stimson
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Joe OfahengaueLock for Bulldogs is number 16 Max King
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Kelma TuilagiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex TwalInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Chris Patolo
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Fa'amanu BrownInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Zach Dockar-Clay
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Stefano UtoikamanuInterchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Reserves
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Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Alex SeyfarthReplacement for Bulldogs is number 27 Billy Tsikrikas
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jackson Hastings v Kyle Flanagan: The Tigers have been a different team since Hastings moved to halfback with the 26-year-old racking up three try assists, six forced dropouts and 12 tackle breaks in five games in the No.7. Hastings' composure will be pivotal if the Tigers are to return to the winner's circle in front of the Leichhardt faithful. Flanagan's six games at halfback have produced just two forced dropouts and three try assists as Canterbury's last-tackle options continue to be a major issue.
Stat Attack
The Tigers (22) and Bulldogs (18) have scored just 40 tries between them in 2022. Their combined tally is less than that what the Storm (60), Panthers (48), Eels (43) and Cowboys (43) have racked up on their own and equal with the Roosters (40), Rabbitohs (40) and Sharks (40).
Match: Wests Tigers v Bulldogs
Round 11 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
14th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
16th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
