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Bulldogs v Knights: King cleared; Gamble in for Cogger

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Both the Bulldogs and Knights head into their Round 7 clash thinking what could have been after going down in two-point nail-biters last week.

The Dogs were pipped at the post by the Storm, with a Josh Addo-Carr hat-trick not enough to get them their third win of the season.

The Knights also started their match well against the Roosters, but could not hold out their fightback, going down 22-20 at McDonald Jones Stadium.

On the injury front, the Bulldogs have suffered a heavy toll in recent weeks, with Kurt Mann (hand) and Harrison Edwards (neck) remaining sidelined but Blake Taaffe will return from concussion.

For the Knights, Jacob Saifiti is free to play after accepting a Grade 1 Careless High Tackle charge.

Bulldogs forward Sam Hughes is also good to go after he pleaded guilty to a Grade 1 Dangerous Contact charge and received a fine.

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Team News

Bulldogs: Prop Max King has been cleared (wrist) to play and will start at prop with Sam Hughes shifting to the bench and Poasa Fa'amausili dropping out on game day. Blake Taaffe will come off the bench after missing last week with concussion, with Connor Tracey named at fullback instead. 

Knights: More changes on game day with Jack Cogger dropping out of the side and Tyson Gamble called up to the halves in a tactical move from Adam O'Brien. Daniel Saifiti has been called up to the starting squad in a straight switch with twin brother Jacob. Centre Dane Gagai dropped out on Saturday with a calf injury, which triggers a reshuffle that sees Enari Tuala go to centre and Thomas Jenkins come in on the wing. Captain Kalyn Ponga (hip) is good to go at fullback, but he may relinquish goal-kicking duties. Mat Croker is the side's 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
    Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
    Winger for Knights is number 2 Greg Marzhew
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
    Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
    Centre for Knights is number 5 Enari Tuala
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
    Winger for Knights is number 22 Thomas Jenkins
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
    Five-Eighth for Knights is number 20 Tyson Gamble
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Drew Hutchison
    Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Chris Patolo
    Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
    Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 22 Max King
    Prop for Knights is number 15 Daniel Saifiti
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
    2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon
    2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai   Pearce-Paul
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Curran
    Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 8 Samuel Hughes
    Interchange for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Hayward
    Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis Morrin
    Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington 
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Blake Taaffe
    Interchange for Knights is number 19 Brodie Jones

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 21 Jake Turpin
    Replacement for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Bulldogs have not defeated the Knights at Accor Stadium since 2014.
  • The Knights have won five of their past six games against the Bulldogs.
  • Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton has scored 50 points in his past four games at Accor Stadium.
  • Knights lock Adam Elliott will make his 150th NRL appearance.
  • Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 21 tries in 22 games at Accor Stadium.

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

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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.