Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 5 clash between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Newcastle Knights.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Vs Newcastle Knights
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Date: Sunday April 6, 6:15pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Jack Todd 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Jake Turpin 22. Luke Smith 23. Jacob Kiraz
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Thomas Cant 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Mathew Croker 18. Brodie Jones 19. Kyle McCarthy 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Jackson Hastings 22. Tyrone Thompson
Referee: Ashley Klein
Bunker: Wyatt Raymond
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
While Newcastle will be fresh off the bye and buoyed by the return of Leo Thompson, the Bulldogs will be out to make it five straight at Accor Stadium.
They were simply amazing last weekend against Cronulla where they weren’t expected to win, and will want to ensure they back it up in a game most will tip them to dominate. Former Shark Bronson Xerri scored two tries in their 20-6 win.
The Bulldogs are still without Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau, so star winger Jacob Kiraz has been named on an extended bench and may replace Blake Wilson prior to kick-off.
Newcastle have been hot-and-cold to begin the season (beating the Wests Tigers and Dolphins and losing to the Gold Coast), with sparks of brilliance and a very active Kalyn Ponga, who has kicked 26 from 28 goals at Accor Stadium.
Bradman Best has scored seven tries in five games against the Bulldogs and will square off with Stephen Crichton, while Kurt Mann will celebrate his 200th game.
Canterbury lead the head-to-head 23-22 (one draw) since 1998, and won both 2024 clashes comfortably (32-2 and 36-12).
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Bulldogs by 22 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
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