The Bulldogs have been dealt a blow ahead of Sunday's clash with the Eels after Stephen Crichton was ruled out of the match at CommBank Stadium.
The captain was pushing for an early comeback from a shoulder injury but the bid ultimately fell short and he dropped out of the Canterbury squad in Saturday's team update.
Fellow centre Enari Tuala is also out after suffering a hamstring strain during captain's run on Saturday.
See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Round 7 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.
NRL Late Mail Round 7
Eels v Bulldogs, Sunday 4.05pm at CommBank Stadium
Match: Eels v Bulldogs
Round 7 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Eels is number 1 Joash PapaliiFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
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Winger for Eels is number 2 Brian KellyWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Bronson Xerri
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Centre for Eels is number 19 Araz NanvaCentre for Bulldogs is number 21 Josh Curran
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ronald VolkmanFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Luca MorettiProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Samuel Hughes
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley SmithHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Charlie Guymer2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Jack Williams2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
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Lock for Eels is number 16 Jack De BelinLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 13 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
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Interchange for Eels is number 15 Saxon PrykeInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Toni MataeleInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jonathan Sua
Reserves
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Reserve for Eels is number 18 Teancum BrownReserve for Bulldogs is number 17 Jake Turpin
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Reserve for Eels is number 20 Lorenzo TalatainaReserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Lipoi Hopoi
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Eels: A late switch on game day with Dylan Walker dropping to the bench with Jack De Belin to start at lock. Earlier, Sean Russell will have to wait another week to make his return from a concussion and dropped out of the side in Saturday's 24-hour update. Araz Nanva comes into the centres as a result in the only change to the starting side. Lorenzo Talataina has been added to the six-man bench as a result of the change. Kelma Tuilagi and Sam Tuivaiti have both been ruled out due to head knocks. Jack Williams and Charlie Guymer are the new starting back-rowers, with debutant Saxon Pryke and Toni Mataele the new faces on the bench.
Bulldogs: Josh Curran has been named to return from a rib injury at centre in a game-day change. Enari Tuala drops out after being ruled out with a hamstring strain was suffered during captain's run. Lipoi Hopoi has been added to the six-player bench. Earlier, inspirational skipper Stephen Crichton has fallen short in his bid to make a shock early comeback from a shoulder injury suffered on Good Friday and dropped out of the squad in Saturday's 24-hour update. New recruit Leo Thompson is also set for his first game for the Bulldogs after recovering from a calf injury suffered in the pre-season.
