NRL Match Report | Round 23 v Bulldogs

56th min: The Bulldogs are well on top and score again with Jacob Kiraz going over for his second. The Roosters make an error coming out of their own end, coughing up the ball after a strong tackle by Kurt Mann on Cody Ramsay. The Dogs go on the attack and send the ball out right, with Kiraz running hard to the line. Crichton's attempt from the right sideline is unsuccessful. Score remains 18-8.

52nd min: The Dogs are in front again - Lachlan Galvin with the try after running straight through some feeble Roosters defence just out from their own try line. The Bulldogs have been applying the pressure, turning the momentum. Crichton's conversion attempt is a success and his side lead 14-8. 

45th min: The first points of second half goes to the Dogs - with Jacob Kiraz backing up a Bailey Hayward bust through the middle, streaking away to score. Lindsay Collins was called offside and Spencer Leniu was in the wrong spot for marker defence and the Dogs capitalise. Crichton slots it from in front and scores are level 8-8. 

41st min: The halftime update gives bad news to Bulldogs fans with Sitili Tupouniua ruled out with a hamstring injury. 

Half-time: The Roosters head into the sheds in a low-scoring first half leading 8-2. The Bulldogs got the first points of the half with a penalty goal, but the Roosters were able to rebound with two tries. 

40th min: A little bit of razzle dazzle by Jacob Kiraz to and the half with a chip and chase in an attempt to try and get a try - but they couldn't convert.

26th min: The Roosters go back-to-back with Siua Wong the man to get his hands to a messy ball, with the Bulldogs going high to get the kick and missing it, with Wong being in the right spot at the right time and collecting it on the bounce to go over to score. Walker's conversion attempt from the right hits the post and bounces away. Scores remain 8-2. 

14th min: However, first try of the match goes to the Roosters who are able to turn around a tough opening where they have been on the back foot, but could absorb that pressure and turn it back on their opposition. Billy Smith goes over on the left wing, with Sam Walker's conversion attempt missing for a 4-2 lead.

7th min: First points to the Bulldogs early with a penalty goal kicked from skipper Stephen Crichton, with the opportunity given with Daly Cherry-Evans penalised for an escort. Dogs lead 2-0. 

Kick off: The Bulldogs get the ball to start the game and charge into the defence of the Roosters. 

Match preview 

Late Mail 

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. Powerhouse edge forward Sitili Tupouniua is back after five games out with a hamstring injury. The Tonga international is joined on the bench by two other new faces in Bronson Xerri and Jake Turpin, who plays his first NRL match since Round 9. The Doggies have won six of their past seven but haven't beaten the Roosters at Moore Park since 2016. No changes in Thursday's 24-hour squad update.

Warriors v Panthers at Go Media Stadium

Press conferences

Warriors 

Panthers 

Full-time: The Warriors have made a statement with an impressive 28-12 win at home against the Panthers. It was a huge opening from the home side with their forwards up for the physical challenge, overpowering their opposition. They got out to an 18-0 half-time lead and were able to quash a mini-comeback from the Panthers in the second half. 

77th min: Bang bang goes Luke Metcalf to get his second try and give his side the advantage back and he cuts back inside, stepping away from defenders to score next to the left posts. The Panthers were threatening to steal the win with a late fightback, but this try has the home fans rocking again. Metcalf converts the try and it's 28-12 to the Wahs. 

75th min: Three tries in a row now for the Panthers with Paul Alamoti able to get to a ball that the Warriors let bounce ... however! Liam Martin is offside from the kick from Nathan Cleary and he is involved in the play inside the 10 metres - so the try is taken away! Score remains 22-12.

71st min: And here comes the comeback - Panthers are in again in no time with fullback Jaxen Edgar ducking under a tackle attempt from Halasima. Cleary converts and it's 22-12 now and the crowd are quiet for the first time tonight. 

70th min: The Panthers halfback adds to his try with a 40/20 kick to try and further spark his side. 

68th min: The first points of the night for the Panthers, with Nathan Cleary over, finishing off some good work done down field with runs from Thomas Jenkins and Izack Tago. He converts his own try and it's 22-6. 

61st min: A captain's challenge from the Warriors for a knock on against CHT is successful. They get the ball back and can continue on their merry way towards trying to upset the Panthers. 

50th min: The best passage of play for the Panthers all game and they are over the line - but it goes up as no try on the field and the Bunker agrees they are held up.

43rd min: It doesn't cause too much disruption though and they are over for the first try of the second half. A kick from Metcalf is brought down by DWZ who passes back for CNK - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad - to go down low and score another for his side. Metcalf misses his first and the score remains 22-0. 

43rd min: Play is halted by the independent doctor to get Wayde Egan checked out for a HIA. 

41st min: The Warriors have the first use of the ball for the second half.

Half-time: The home side have made a statement in the first half and are up 18-0 over the Panthers. A huge half from the home side who have shown great physicality against the defending premiers and showcased their speed as well. They have had 56 percent of the possession and have made it count in the first half. They have also run for 1008 metres compared to 624 for Penrith. The visitors had Paul Alamoti sent to the bin for 10 minutes as well in the half - and concerningly, appear to be without skipper Isaah Yeo long-term, with the lock coming from the field with a yet-to-be confirmed upper body injury, with fears of a pec. However, they are a classy side and leading the competition for a reason, so don't count them out yet. 

40th min: Almost a double to CHT after a mix up by the Panthers at the back, letting a kick bounce ... however, it's overturned by the Bunker with Halasima getting a finger to the ball, causing a knock on. The score remains 18-0. 

36th min: A captain's challenge from Penrith is unsuccessful, with Brian To'o pinged for a knock on going up for a Metcalf kick. 

34th min - injury alert: Troubling signs as Panther captain Isaah Yeo goes straight up the tunnel with an upper limb injury. 

31st min: Another try to the home side - and in the process Leka Halasima has created a number of personal highlights for his reel with a massive run and then an offload in the lead up to an electric try to Chanel Harris-Tavita. Metcalf converts another and it's 18-0. 

24th min: A spell in the bin for Paul Alamoti for a dangerous tackle on Leka Halasima who ended up on his head. 

12th min: What a return to the NRL for Luke Metcalf already - over for the second Warriors try of the match. A great lead up from the Warriors with Wayde Egan stealing metres to get them on the front foot. Then it was good passing from the forwards - Mitch Barnett doing a little double pump before releasing Kurt Capewell through a hole who runs away and then passes back inside for his halfback to go in under the posts. He converts his own try for a 12-0 lead. 

5th min: Warriors lock Erin Clark led the team haka and he now leads the team to their first points - simply charging his way through the Panthers defence to get the ball down under the posts. Luke Metcalf - who was called in late for the injured Te Maire Martin - slots the conversion for a 6-0 lead. 

Kick off: Warriors kick off and the Panthers have the first use of the ball.

Pre-game ceremony: For the official pre-match cultural welcome, the Panthers will first be welcomed out to field by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei while the Warriors follow. Erin Clark leads the team's special haka.

Full house at Go Media Stadium and an NBA star in the house as well with Steven Adams. The Steven Adams Pathways Trust is the match-day partner.

Match preview 

Late Mail

Warriors: No more changes on game day after an earlier halves switch. Halfback Te Maire Martin picked up a hamstring strain at training on Wednesday and has been replaced in the starting side by Luke Metcalf, who will play his first NRL game since Round 5. Taine Tuaupiki has been named on the interchange bench as he looks to return from a foot injury that kept him out last week while Adam Pompey joins the bench in No.23. Demitric Vaimauga remains sidelined with a rib complaint that caused him to be a late withdrawal against the Titans. Morgan Gannon has been added to the interchange for just his second NRL appearance of the season.

Panthers: In a game-day change, Jack Cole comes into the halves, with Blaize Talagi back on the bench. Earlier he had moved back into the starting side with Jack Cogger staying in Sydney due to the impending birth of his child. Luron Patea has been added to the six-man bench. The loss of centre Casey McLean to a hand injury sees three-time premiership winner Izack Tago promoted to the starting side.