The Bulldogs have come from the clouds to climb into the top eight but they get a true test of their credentials this week against the red-hot Roosters.
With wins in six of their past seven matches, the Bulldogs have jumped from 14th to eighth ahead of a monster fortnight against the Roosters and Rabbitohs.
The Roosters have put together six wins on the trot, the latest being a record-breaking demolition of the Cowboys in which Sam Walker piled on 38 points of his own, second only to Immortal Dave Brown's 45-point haul in 1935 for the most by a Rooster in a match.
With a host of attacking weapons on both sides this promises to be one of the games of the season as two powerhouse clubs square off in a potential semi-final rehearsal.
Some 22 years have passed the Roosters and Bulldogs fought out an epic grand final and the rivalry remains as strong today as it was back in 2004.
Match: Roosters v Bulldogs
Round 23 -
home Team
Roosters
2nd Position
away Team
Bulldogs
9th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Roosters: A swap again for the forwards with Nat Butcher to start, shifting Spencer Leniu. James Tedesco has failed to overcome an ankle injury and will miss Friday's clash, with Cody Ramsey taking his place. Rex Bassingthwaite joins the interchange. Maroons prop Lindsay Collins returns for his first game since Round 17 after an extended break due to concussion issues. Salesi Foketi retains his place in the starting side after a powerhouse display against the Cowboys.
Bulldogs: No late changes. The Bulldogs welcome back Sitili Tupouniua after five games out with a hamstring injury. Tupouniua is joined on the bench by two other new faces in Bronson Xerri and Jake Turpin, who will play his first NRL match since Round 9. Sean O'Sullivan, Jonathan Su'A and Alekolasimi Jones make way. No changes in Thursday's 24-hour squad update.
Match: Roosters v Bulldogs
Round 23 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 18 Cody RamseyFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Billy SmithWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Hugo SavalaCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Matt Burton
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert ToiaCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Enari Tuala
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark NawaqanitawaseWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jethro Rinakama
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-EvansFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Stephen Crichton
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu WhyteProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
-
Prop for Roosters is number 16 Nat ButcherProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Salesi Foketi2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 10 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor WatsonInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Lindsay CollinsInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Sitili Tupouniua
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Jake Turpin
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 17 Egan ButcherReserve for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Tommy TalauReserve for Bulldogs is number 19 Bronson Xerri
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Rex Bassingthwaighte
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won their last six games at Allianz Stadium.
- The Bulldogs have not defeated the Roosters at Moore Park since 2016.
- Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored 10 tries in his last nine games at Allianz Stadium.
- Bulldogs forward Josh Curran has scored five tries in his last five games.
- Roosters five-eighth Daly Cherry-Evans will move to equal second for all-time premiership appearances.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Don't miss a minute of the action when the in-form Bulldogs face the high-flying Roosters in a Friday-night blockbuster at Allianz Stadium. Tickets are selling fast, click here to secure your seats before they are all gone.
