Neds Match Preview: Round 14
After a heavy defeat last week at the hands of the Newcastle Knights, Wests Tigers will head in to Round 14 knowing that two points is essential in a bid to keep their finals hopes alive.
With just seven games remaining in the season, Wests Tigers sit two wins outside the top eight — making Sunday's clash against the Bulldogs a crucial one for the home side as they look to end a run of three straight defeats.
Michael Maguire's side were no match for the Knights last week in a heavy 44-4 defeat, but will take confidence in their previous fixture against the Bulldogs this year – a 34-6 win at Bankwest Stadium back in Round 7.
Sitting last on the ladder, Canterbury have won just twice since the competition restarted in Round 3 and will be without halfback Lachlan Lewis, after he was suspended for a high tackle in their last start defeat to Melbourne.
Jake Averillo (hip) is also sidelined after picking up a knock last week with Kerrod Holland returning to the side at centre as his replacement.
NRL.com preview Bulldogs clash
For Wests Tigers, the return of Jacob Liddle for his first game in 12 months is a huge boost for the home side. Liddle has been named to start in the number nine jersey with Josh Reynolds named on the bench in place of Billy Walters.
Having been cleared to return to the club's bubble by biosecurity experts, Joey Leilua will play after he was originally named in the centres. Leilua had left the bubble voluntarily this week, but his immediate return will see the dynamic Samoan international line up on the right edge inside in-form winger David Nofoaluma.
Wests Tigers were big winners when the two sides met earlier in the year, with Tommy Talau bagging his first career double in a 34-6 win.
Talau starts on the wing this week with Moses Mbye shifting back to centre.
MATCH DETAILS
Date — Sunday, August 15, 2020
Time — 4:05pm AEST
Venue — Bankwest Stadium
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
TV — Live via Channel 9, FOX League (Ch.502)
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, AM 873 2GB, FM 104.9 Triple M
Live Stream — 9NOW, Foxtel Go, KAYO, NRL Digital Pass and Watch NRL (int.)
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Wests Tigers — Jacob Liddle (knee) and Joey Leilua (personal) are both cleared to play with the duo expected to take their place in the starting lineup. Thomas Mikaele's knee injury brings about a late change on the bench, with Alex Seyfarth joining the side for his first game since Round 5. Luke Garner returns in the back row with Chris Lawrence dropping out, while Josh Reynolds and Elijah Taylor return to add some extra experience on the bench.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs — Reimis Smith replaces Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on the wing in a late change with debutant Matthew Doorey joining the interchange list. Kerrod Holland starts at centre for the injured Jake Averillo, while Jack Cogger replaces the suspended Lachlan Lewis at halfback.
Match: Wests Tigers v Bulldogs
Round 14 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Adam DoueihiFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Nick Meaney
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Joseph LeiluaCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Tim Lafai
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Moses MbyeCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Kerrod Holland
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tommy TalauWinger for Bulldogs is number 17 Reimis Smith
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Kieran Foran
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Benji MarshallHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Jack Cogger
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Josh AloiaiProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Ofahiki Ogden
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Sione Katoa
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Russell PackerProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Dylan Napa
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luke Garner2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Matthew EisenhuthLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Luke Thompson
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Josh ReynoldsInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Aiden Tolman
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 20 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Sauaso Sue
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 21 Elijah TaylorInterchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Matt Doorey
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Cecchin
- Touch Judge: Gavin Badger
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
LATEST NEDS ODDS
H2H — Wests Tigers ($1.40), Bulldogs ($3.15)
Line — Wests Tigers (-7.5) $2.00, Bulldogs (+675) $2.00
Odds correct as of 3:00pm, August 16. 18+ only. Gamble responsibly.
HISTORY
Head-to-Head — Played 37, Bulldogs 23, Wests Tigers 14
At Bankwest Stadium — Played 1, Wests Tigers 1, Bulldogs 0
Last Time They Met — Wests Tigers 34 def. Bulldogs 6 (Rd.7, 2020)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee — Matt Cecchin
Touch Judge — Gavin Badger and Jon Stone
Review Official — Bryan Norrie and Steve Chiddy
