The Tricolours will be determined to turn their season around when they host the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Industree Group Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Sunday marks the 179th encounter between Easts and Canterbury-Bankstown since 1935, which has seen the Tricolours take home 97 victories.
The Roosters have won eight of their last night matches against the Bulldogs, dating back to 2017. Their most recent outing took place at Accor Stadium, with the hosts claiming a four-point win courtesy of a Josh Addo-Carr double.
Both teams enter the match after recording mixed results in Round 12, before entering a well-earned bye in Round 13.
The Roosters suffered an agonising two-point loss in the final minute to the Dragons last time they took the field, while the Bulldogs downed the Gold Coast Titans right before the siren.
How They Line Up
A number of changes have been made to the starting side, with Trent Robinson calling on the services of high-flyer Junior Pauga, who will make his Club debut on Sunday.
Joseph Manu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves return to the team after recovering from their respective injuries, while Sitili Tupouniua shifts to lock in the absence of Victor Radley.
James Tedesco will lead from fullback again this week, backing up from Origin I. Joining the Skipper in the back line are wingers Corey Allan and Pauga, and centres Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Billy Smith.
Manu reunites with Luke Keary in the halves, while Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Turpin and Lindsay Collins, who returns from Origin duties, make up the front row.
The back row consists of Egan and Nat Butcher, with Tupouniua rounding out the starting side at lock.
The Roosters’ interchange features Drew Hutchison, Nathan Brown, Angus Crichton and Matt Lodge. Daniel Tupou, Sandon Smith, Jaxson Paulo, Terrell May and Naufahu Whyte complete the line-up on the extended bench.
Match: Roosters v Bulldogs
Round 14 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze Perham
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Corey AllanWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Blake Wilson
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso SuaaliiCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake Averillo
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Billy SmithCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul Alamoti
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Fetalaiga PaugaWinger for Bulldogs is number 21 Josh Addo-Carr
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Joseph ManuFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Karl Oloapu
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke KearyHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Matt Burton
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake TurpinHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Ryan Sutton
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Jayden Okunbor
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Sitili TupouniuaLock for Bulldogs is number 23 Tevita Pangai Junior
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Nathan BrownInterchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Corey Waddell
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Angus CrichtonInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Kurtis Morrin
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Matthew LodgeInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Harrison Edwards
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Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Sandon SmithInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Khaled Rajab
Reserves
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Replacement for Roosters is number 14 Drew HutchisonReplacement for Bulldogs is number 14 Josh Reynolds
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has named Origin representatives Josh Addo-Carr and Tevita Pangai Junior on the extended bench, while Josh Reynolds has been recalled on the interchange bench after being named 18th man in Round 12. Corey Waddell shifts to lock with Jayden Okunbor named in the second row.
Key Match Up: Luke Keary vs Matt Burton
Two playmakers who play an important role in their sides attacking prowess go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon when Luke Keary meets Matt Burton.
Keary, who enters the match following a season-best performance in Round 12, will have his work cut out for him when he faces 23-year-old Burton, who returns from Origin camp after being called on following Latrell Mitchell’s injury.
Keary Doubles Up
This season, the Irish International has scored five tries, including two in the Roosters most recent match, while also assisting with six other four-pointers.
Averaging 81 run metres in season 2023, Keary has made 224 tackles, offloaded the ball twice and forced three goal-line dropouts.
His counterpart has been just as dangerous this season, scoring three tries while captaining the Bulldogs to five wins. Burton’s trademark high bomb has been a key feature in his attacking game, contributing to 10 forced dropouts and eight try assists.
The Canterbury-Bankstown halfback averages 76 run metres per match and has slotted 24 conversions for a goal-kicking accuracy of 72.7%.
Which of these two halves will step up to guide their team to a much-needed victory on Sunday? We’ll have to wait and see.
What They Said
"Football is a simple game, it’s about playing with your mates and backing each other." – Egan Butcher
"Whatever the team needs is what I’ll do." – Jake Turpin
Keary: 'We Want To Put A Good Month Of Footy Together'
"I’m really looking forward to going back out there and playing a really good 80-minute game against the Bulldogs." – Billy Smith
Final Verdict
While only two competition points separate the sides, the mighty Tricolours will be determined to re-enter the winner’s circle with an impressive victory as they host their first home game since Round 8.
Roosters Members and supporters will be treated to an open training session and meet and greet this Saturday, before the NSW Cup Roosters kick-off Sunday’s proceedings at 11:30am.
You can purchase your tickets for our Round 14 game here. If you can’t make it to the Central Coast, be sure to attend Easts Bondi Junction, where you can enjoy a game day lunch at Artie’s or Olive & Oak. Easts are also running happy hour for two hours post-match.
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