Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins: NRL live scores, blog

Round 22 of the NRL premiership continues this afternoon when the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs take on the Dolphins at Salter Oval in Bundaberg. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2:00pm (AEST).

The season may be done for the Bulldogs, but the Dolphins still can dream of a top 8 finish. However, with more difficult assignments ahead, this is a match that the Dolphins simply need to win to keep that dream alive.

In isolation, the last start 44-18 loss to the Panthers is probably not that bad, given the gulf between the teams. However, it was the culmination of a horrible month for the Bulldogs, where defence has gone out the window. They now have conceded close to 100 points more than the next poorest defensive unit.

The repercussions have started and culture has been questioned. Rumours suggest that two players have been told they are free to leave and we expect this list to grow.

The Bulldogs do have some big inclusions this week, with Viliame Kikau playing his first game since Round 4. Josh Addo-Carr, Jacob Preston, Braidon Burns and Toby Sexton are good to go. New recruit Liam Knight and Ryan Sutton have been named in the reserves and could force their way into the 17.

The Dolphins enjoyed the bye last week after a 24-14 loss to the Panthers the week before. The Panthers were missing a truckload of Origin stars and the Dolphins would have been disappointed with the loss.

The Dolphins have a vastly experienced forward pack and that is where their strength lies. However, any backline with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jamayne Isaako needs to be respected.

In team changes, the Hammer moves from centre to fullback, moving Kodi Nikorima to the halves and Anthony Milford to the bench. Valynce Te Whare is the new centre. Jeremy Marshall-King makes his return from injury.

Prediction

Culture is a word used a little too liberally when it comes to rugby league, but it may well be an issue at the Bulldogs. It should at least have the impact of firing up the playing group and maybe that is what Cameron Ciraldo is after. I’m sensing an upset here. Bulldogs by 2

Game information

Venue: Salter Oval, Bundaberg
Kickoff: 2pm AEST
TV: Fox League
Stream: Kayo Sports
Odds: Bulldogs $2.25, Dolphins $1.65 – odds via PlayUp

Bulldogs: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Corey Waddell 17. Samuel Hughes 19. Jayden Okunbor 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Ryan Sutton 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Liam Knight

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Valynce Te Whare 5. Tesi Niu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Herman Ese’ese 15. Josh Kerr 16. Anthony Milford 17. Jarrod Wallace 18. Isaiya Katoa 19. Harrison Graham 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Max Plath 22. Jack Bostock