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Roosters v Bulldogs: Young, Smith return; Skelton called up

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pan66.com
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Two sides looking to consolidate their place in the top eight, the Roosters and Bulldogs will put it all on the line when they meet in Gosford on Saturday. 

With Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Angus Crichton and Lindsay Collins in Origin camp, the Roosters' depth will be pushed to its limits when they host a Bulldogs side on the rise. 

Trent Robinson's men will be over the moon to see Watson called up to make his State of Origin debut after the star utility missing the entire 2023 season while their skipper James Tedesco will bring some much-needed experience to the side that after he made way for Dylan Edwards in camp. 

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs once again lose skipper Stephen Crichton to Origin duties but keep their star playmaker Matt Burton who will be crucial to helping the side make it four straight on the Central Coast. 

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Team News

Roosters: Dominic Young will return from a hamstring strain. Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Connor Watson are all away on Origin duty, with Blake Steep to play his second NRL game after being withdrawn from the Blues' U-19's squad. No changes 60 minutes before kickoff. 

Bulldogs: Mass changes in the final update before kickoff, with Drew Hutchison coming into the starting side at centre in place of Bronson Xerri. Viliame Kikau will make his return from a finger injury in jumper No.23. Jake Turpin has also been named to start at lock. As a result, Josh Curran and Bailey Hayward revert back to the bench. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
    Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jeral Skelton
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Fetalaiga Pauga
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Jacob Kiraz
  • Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 19 Drew Hutchison
  • Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Blake Wilson
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
    Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
    Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
    Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
  • Prop for Roosters is number 10 Terrell May
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Nat Butcher
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 23 Viliame Kikau
  • Lock for Roosters is number 13 Naufahu Whyte
    Lock for Bulldogs is number 14 Jake Turpin

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Sandon Smith
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Curran
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Blake Steep
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Bailey Hayward
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Sitili Tupouniua
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis Morrin
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Siua Wong
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Lipoi Hopoi

Reserves

  • Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Ethan King
    Replacement for Bulldogs is number 21 Eli Clark

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Peter Gough

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Roosters have won nine of their past 11 games against the Bulldogs.
  • The Bulldogs are aiming for four consecutive wins for the first time since 2019.
  • The Roosters have won their past four games at Industree Group Stadium.
  • The Bulldogs have not defeated the Roosters twice in a season since 2016.
  • Roosters captain James Tedesco has scored 13 tries in 11 games against the Bulldogs.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,  

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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.