Matchday Details
Sunday, 19 April 2026 – 4:05pm AEST – CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Liam Kennedy | Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Parramatta Eels: 1. Joash Papalii, 2. Brian Kelly, 3. Will Penisini, 4. Sean Russell, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Ronald Volkman, 7. Mitchell Moses (c), 8. Luca Moretti, 9. Ryley Smith, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Charlie Guymer, 12. Jack Williams, 13. Dylan Walker, 14. Tallyn Da Silva, 15. Saxon Pryke, 16. Jack De Belin, 17. Toni Mataele, 18. Teancum Brown, 19. Araz Nanva, 20. Lorenzo Talataina, 21. Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, 22. Mohamed Alameddine
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey, 2. Jacob Kiraz, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Bronson Xerri, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Lachlan Galvin, 8. Samuel Hughes, 9. Bailey Hayward, 10. Leo Thompson, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Jacob Preston, 13. Jaeman Salmon, 14. Kurt Mann, 15. Sitili Tupouniua, 16. Harry Hayes, 17. Jake Turpin, 19. Jonathan Sua, 20. Lipoi Hopoi, 21. Josh Curran, 22. Alekolasimi Jones, 23. Stephen Crichton
Match Preview
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs head into Sunday’s clash with the Parramatta Eels full of confidence after a standout performance against Penrith last week.
That win was a clear statement of intent from Cameron Ciraldo’s side, who showed discipline, physicality, and composure against one of the competition’s benchmark teams.
With momentum building, the Bulldogs will be eager to back it up in front of another big crowd on Sunday, which will see Leo Thompson’s first outing as a Bulldog.
Parramatta, meanwhile, come into the match undermanned and under pressure.
A lengthy injury list has forced the Eels into some difficult reshuffles, particularly through the middle of the park, and that could make life very hard against a Bulldogs pack that is gaining confidence by the week.
The absence of several key forwards leaves Parramatta vulnerable to Canterbury’s strong defensive line and direct running game.
Adding to the Bulldogs’ optimism is the return of Thompson, who is set to bring extra power and aggression through the front row.
His presence gives Canterbury even more strike in an area where they already look well equipped, and his return could prove crucial in setting the tone early.
If Thompson and the Bulldogs’ big men can win the ruck, it will go a long way toward putting Parramatta on the back foot.
The Eels will still look to their experienced playmakers to steady the ship, but they will need a significant lift to match the Bulldogs’ intensity and recent form.
Canterbury have shown they can win the arm wrestle, defend with purpose, and turn pressure into points.
On current form, the Bulldogs enter this contest as the stronger side. Parramatta’s injury concerns make the task even tougher, while Canterbury’s confidence after the Penrith upset should give them the edge.
This shapes as an important test of the Bulldogs’ consistency and another chance to prove they are a genuine threat in 2026.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Bulldogs by 20
Bold call: Thompson to score a try in his club debut.
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