Winning in Auckland without their five Origin stars may well prove to be the pivotal moment in the Panthers’ season.
That victory has lifted the defending champs to eighth spot ahead of Thursday’s blockbuster against the Bulldogs before a Round 18 bye and then a five-game stretch against sides below them on the ladder (Eels, Rabbitohs, Wests Tigers, Titans, Knights).
Sitting pretty in top spot are the Bulldogs, fresh off a bye and ready to set sail for their first minor premiership since 2012, when they went on to make the grand final before going down to the Storm.
The addition of Lachlan Galvin has added another dimension to the Bulldogs’ attack and they boast an array of attacking options set to test out a Panthers defence that has leaked 22 points per game in 2025 compared to 15 points per game last season on their way to a fourth straight title.
Match: Panthers v Bulldogs
Round 17 –Â
Venue:CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Panthers:Â Isaah Yeo, Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, Liam Martin and Dylan Edwards all return after being rested last week. Scott Sorensen is out suspended while Paul Alamoti, Daine Laurie, Matt Eisenhuth and Trent Toelau all make way for the Origin returnees. Brad Schneider and Luke Garner go to the bench after starting against the Warriors.
Bulldogs:Â Stephen Crichton, Max King, Kurt Mann and Matt Burton are all back after missing the win over Souths on Blues duty. Jacob Kiraz slides to the wing, Lachlan Galvin reverts to the bench while Kurt Morrin goes to 18th man. Blake Taaffe, Jake Turpin and Blake Wilson drop out.
Match: Panthers v Bulldogs
Round 17 –Â
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Panthers is number 1Dylan EdwardsFullback for Bulldogs is number 1Connor Tracey
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Winger for Panthers is number 2Thomas JenkinsWinger for Bulldogs is number 2Jacob Kiraz
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Centre for Panthers is number 3Izack TagoCentre for Bulldogs is number 3Bronson Xerri
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Centre for Panthers is number 4Casey McLeanCentre for Bulldogs is number 4Stephen Crichton
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Winger for Panthers is number 5Brian To’oWinger for Bulldogs is number 5Marcelo Montoya
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6Matt Burton
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7Nathan ClearyHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7Toby Sexton
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8Moses LeotaProp for Bulldogs is number 8Max King
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9Mitch KennyHooker for Bulldogs is number 9Reed Mahoney
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Prop for Panthers is number 10Lindsay SmithProp for Bulldogs is number 10Daniel Suluka-Fifita
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11Isaiah Papali’i2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12Liam Martin2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12Jacob Preston
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Lock for Panthers is number 13Isaah YeoLock for Bulldogs is number 13Bailey Hayward
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 14Brad SchneiderInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14Kurt Mann
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15Liam HenryInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15Harry Hayes
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16Luron PateaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16Josh Curran
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17Luke GarnerInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17Lachlan Galvin
Reserves
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Replacement for Panthers is number 18Paul AlamotiReplacement for Bulldogs is number 19Kurtis Morrin
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Reserve for Panthers is number 19Matthew EisenhuthReserve for Bulldogs is number 20Mitchell Woods
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Reserve for Panthers is number 20Daine LaurieReserve for Bulldogs is number 21Samuel Hughes
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Reserve for Panthers is number 21Trent ToelauReserve for Bulldogs is number 22Jethro Rinakama
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Reserve for Panthers is number 22Luke SommertonReserve for Bulldogs is number 23Blake Taaffe
Panthers Ins
- Brian To’o
- Dylan Edwards
- Isaah Yeo
- Liam Martin
- Luke Sommerton
- Nathan Cleary
Bulldogs Ins
- Jethro Rinakama
- Kurt Mann
- Matt Burton
- Max King
- Mitchell Woods
- Samuel Hughes
- Stephen Crichton
Panthers Outs
- Jack Cole
- Scott Sorensen
Bulldogs Ins
- Blake Wilson
- Jake Turpin
- Lipoi Hopoi
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:Â
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won their past seven games against the Bulldogs.
- Bulldogs winger Marcelo Montoya will make his 150th NRL appearance.
- Panthers forward Luke Garner has scored seven tries in his past eight games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their past four games at CommBank Stadium.
- Panthers winger Thomas Jenkins has scored eight tries in his past six games.
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