Match Preview: Round 21 vs Bulldogs

Author: Manly Media
Timestamp: Wed 23 Jul 2025, 12:00 PM

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles next mission is against Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park.

Round 21 - Round 21 - Sunday 27 Jul

Full Time

Bulldogs

Sea Eagles

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Highlights Latest

The Sea Eagles head into Round 21 on a three-game winning streak and high on confidence after toppling third-placed Melbourne Storm 18-16 last weekend.

Highlights: Finals Week 1, 2024 - Sea Eagles vs Bulldogs

Another tough assignment awaits against the second-placed Bulldogs, a team which was eliminated by Manly in Week 1 of the finals last season.

The Bulldogs also scraped home by two points last round, scoring a try in the final few minutes to beat the Dragons 20-18, their thirteenth win of the season.

While previous results have been heavily skewed in Manly’s favour, this is the first and only match against the Dogs in the regular season this year.

Of the past 12 contests between these clubs, the Bulldogs have tasted victory on just one occasion, a 21-20 win in the final round in 2022.

It was that same season when the Sea Eagles last strung together four straight wins, a sequence which began with a 13-12 victory over…the Bulldogs.

It’s been a largely unchanged lineup for Manly over the past few weeks, with just the one change for this game. The welcome return of Haumole Olakau’atu, sees Corey Waddell shift to the bench, with Tommy Talau named 18th man.

Bronson Xerri returns from a groin strain

For the Bulldogs, Bronson Xerri returns from a groin injury at centre forcing Enari Tuala to the wing and Jethro Rinakamaout out of the team. Prop Sam Hughes also returns to the side with Josh Curran moving to the bench to take the place of injured forward Sitili Tupouniua (hamstring).

Round 21 - Round 21 - Sunday 27 Jul

Full Time

Bulldogs

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Lehi Hopoate
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tom Trbojevic
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari Tuala

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Matthew Lodge
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jazz Tevaga
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey Waddell
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Harry Hayes

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Josh Curran

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Bailey Hayward

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 22 Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Reserves

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Jethro Rinakama

Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Tommy Talau

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 7/27/2025 11:24:13 AM

Stats Zone

Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab will make his 100th NRL appearance.
The Sea Eagles have won 11 of their past 12 games against the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs are chasing their 1000th win since the club’s inception in 1935. For the record, the Sea Eagles have won 987 games since Manly's first season in 1947.
Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has scored six tries in seven games against the Sea Eagles.

Above stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.