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Bulldogs v Sea Eagles: Waddell back on deck; Kaeo's starting shot

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With only pride to play for, the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles will look to finish a disappointing season on a high at Accor Stadium.

The Bulldogs have shown some positive signs in 2022 with wins over premiership contenders the Cowboys, Roosters and Eels to their name but they have lacked the consistency to put themselves in finals contention.

Manly were right in the mix after 18 rounds but they have failed to register a win since then and will finish the season in 11th place regardless of this week's result.

The absence of Tom Trbojevic for the second half of the season certainly hurt the Sea Eagles' chances but most expected them to still be in the finals hunt as we entered the last round of the season.

Sportsbet Betting preview: Bulldogs v Sea Eagles

The Rundown

Team news

Bulldogs: Corey Waddell is back from suspension in the second row so Joe Stimson reverts to the bench. Tevita Pangai jnr returns on the bench after playing NSW Cup on Saturday. Harrison Edwards and Josh Stuckey drop out. There were no changes when the team was finalised 60 minutes before kick-off.

Sea Eagles: Centre Brad Parker dropped out on Thursday after injuring his hamstring at training. He is replaced in the starting side by Ben Trbojevic with James Roumanos added to the bench for his NRL debut. Youngster Kaeo Weekes moves into the starting side at fullback and Tolutau Koula shifts to centre. Andrew Davey and Dylan Walker join the starting pack. Josh Aloiai will miss the game on compassionate grounds.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Jake Averillo
    Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
    Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Aaron Schoupp
    Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau Koula
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Braidon Burns
    Centre for Sea Eagles is number 14 Ben Trbojevic
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
    Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
    Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kieran Foran
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
    Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly   Cherry-Evans

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
    Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Toafofoa Sipley
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
    Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul Vaughan
    Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin Taupau
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell
    2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
    2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Andrew Davey
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Jackson
    Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Dylan Walker

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Zach Dockar-Clay
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Joshua Schuster
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Joe Stimson
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Chris Patolo
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Kurt De Luis
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Tevita Pangai Junior
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 James Roumanos

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Declan Casey
    Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 19 Zac Fulton

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Key match-up

Paul Vaughan v Martin Taupau: With 425 NRL games between them, these two blokes know what it takes to lay the platform in the middle before the halves take control. A tough season for both their clubs but Vaughan has averaged 136 running metres per game and Taupau 105 as they have continued to put in the hard yards. With Vaughan heading to Warrington in 2023 and Taupau a free agent, it's one last hurrah for the two old-school enforcers as they look to farewell their clubs with one last victory.

Stat Attack

The Bulldogs have managed just 73 line breaks this season to sit last in that category. The Sea Eagles have averaged one more line break per match and their tally sits at 97. Top of the heap are the Storm with 139 line beaks followed by the Bunnies and Sharks with 132.

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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.

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