djdeep4172
Kennel Enthusiast
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Wins have been hard to come by for the Bulldogs and Knights with both sides losing four of their past five matches.
The finals already look to have slipped away for 2023 but finishing the year strong will be a priority for Cameron Ciraldo at the Bulldogs and Adam O'Brien in Newcastle.
The Knights had a golden opportunity to knock off a Panthers side missing five Origin stars in Round 17 but were unable to get the job done and now find themselves five points outside the top eight with games against the Storm, Raiders, Rabbitohs and Sharks still to come.
The Bulldogs face an extremely tough month ahead with games against the Rabbitohs, Broncos and Panthers after this week's home clash against the Knights.
That home ground advantage at Accor Stadium could be worth its weight in gold given the Knights have won just one away game all season, a 14-12 win over Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval back in Round 2.
Team News
Bulldogs: Raymond Faitala-Mariner played his first game in over a month last week in NSW Cup, after being sidelined with illness, and he could come into the selection frame this week. Fellow forward Harrison Edwards is also a chance of returning from concussion. It remains to be seen if there will be any other unforced changes following a 48-10 defeat to the Sharks in Round 16.
Knights: Back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon is set to be available after a week out with concussion, with youngster Dylan Lucas likely to make way if he does return. Coach Adam O'Brien is otherwise expected to keep a settled line-up following his side's 20-12 defeat at the hands of Penrith.
Stat Attack
The finals already look to have slipped away for 2023 but finishing the year strong will be a priority for Cameron Ciraldo at the Bulldogs and Adam O'Brien in Newcastle.
The Knights had a golden opportunity to knock off a Panthers side missing five Origin stars in Round 17 but were unable to get the job done and now find themselves five points outside the top eight with games against the Storm, Raiders, Rabbitohs and Sharks still to come.
The Bulldogs face an extremely tough month ahead with games against the Rabbitohs, Broncos and Panthers after this week's home clash against the Knights.
That home ground advantage at Accor Stadium could be worth its weight in gold given the Knights have won just one away game all season, a 14-12 win over Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval back in Round 2.
Team News
Bulldogs: Raymond Faitala-Mariner played his first game in over a month last week in NSW Cup, after being sidelined with illness, and he could come into the selection frame this week. Fellow forward Harrison Edwards is also a chance of returning from concussion. It remains to be seen if there will be any other unforced changes following a 48-10 defeat to the Sharks in Round 16.
Knights: Back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon is set to be available after a week out with concussion, with youngster Dylan Lucas likely to make way if he does return. Coach Adam O'Brien is otherwise expected to keep a settled line-up following his side's 20-12 defeat at the hands of Penrith.
Stat Attack
- Knights wingers Dom Young (16) and Greg Marzhew (10) have scored 26 tries between them this season compared to 12 for Bulldogs wingers Josh Addo-Carr (8) and Jacob Kiraz (4).
- No team has conceded more penalties this year than the Bulldogs, who on average are pinged 6.7 times per game.
- Led by Greg Marzhew and Dane Gagai, who have 184 tackle breaks between them, the Knights have been excellent at forcing missed tackles this year, averaging 38.8 tackle busts a game.
