The wounded Bulldogs face a huge task against a Panthers side growing in belief as they eye an incredible fifth straight premiership.
The Bulldogs have now lost four of their past five games and the lone victory came in Round 26 against a Panthers side missing 16 of its regular first-graders.
The premiers on the other hand are taking on an ominous look after eliminating the Warriors on the back of a Nathan Cleary kicking masterclass and a combined 83 runs and 796 metres from their back five.
Looking to become the first side to win the competition from outside the top four, and the first side since St George in the 50s and 60s to win five straight premierships, the Panthers have a sense of destiny about them in 2025.
With a monster crowd on hand at Accor Stadium this promises to be a battle for the ages between the champions and a legitimate contender to their crown.
Match: Bulldogs v Panthers
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Bulldogs
3rd Position
away Team
Panthers
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Bulldogs: A late switch on game day with Reed Mahoney starting at hooker and Bailey Hayward going to the bench. Sitili Tupouniua will also start the game at prop with Josh Curran sliding to the bench. Captain Stephen Crichton was officially ruled out after failing a fitness test at Saturday's captain's run. Matt Burton moves to centre, Lachlan Galvin takes over at five-eighth and Toby Sexton plays halfback. Bronson Xerri (concussion) returns in the centres but Marcelo Montoya (ankle) remains sidelined. Blake Wilson is 18th man.
Panthers: Hooker Mitch Kenny comes into the starting side an hour before kick-off as he returns from a hamstring injury. Kenny will wear jersey No.22 with Luke Sommerton the man to make way. Daine Laurie is 18th man. Four-time premiership winner Moses Leota makes his 200th NRL appearance.
Match: Bulldogs v Panthers
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor TraceyFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazWinger for Panthers is number 2 Paul Alamoti
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Matt BurtonCentre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jethro RinakamaWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Lachlan GalvinFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby SextonHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 17 Reed MahoneyHooker for Panthers is number 22 Mitch Kenny
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili TupouniuaProp for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman SalmonLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey HaywardInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Brad Schneider
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 10 Josh CurranInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Liam Henry
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Isaiah Papali'i
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry HayesInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Luke Garner
Reserves
-
Replacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Blake WilsonReplacement for Panthers is number 20 Daine Laurie
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have won only two of their past seven games.
- The Panthers have won eight of their last nine games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have less than half of the finals experience of the Panthers team.
- Panthers prop Moses Leota will make his 200th NRL appearance.
- Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored four tries in his last two games against the Panthers.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
