They may be the only team to beat the Panthers this season but in the past two weeks the Bulldogs have beaten themselves in sloppy losses to the Eels and Broncos.
Cameron Ciraldo's men have conceded 70 points and committed 27 errors in the two games following that Panthers triumph and they will need to lift big time against the unpredictable Cowboys.
The Cowboys have showcased some brilliant attack across the opening eight rounds but they have the worst defence of any team currently in the top eight and they won't get any reprieve on Friday with Scott Drinkwater, Tom Dearden and Jason Taumalolo coming at them.
When the sides clashed in 2025 it was a relatively subdued affair with the Bulldogs prevailing 12-8 but many more points are on offer this week with the game being played at breakneck pace and momentum playing such a massive role.
Match: Bulldogs v Cowboys
Round 9 -
home Team
Bulldogs
11th Position
away Team
Cowboys
6th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Bulldogs: Josh Curran will start in the backrow in place of Viliame Kikau (pectoral) after initially being named on the interchange. In a late change, Curran has swapped with Sitili Tupouniua, who moves from the starting side to to the bench. Enari Tuala's return on the wing from a hamstring injury sees Marcelo Montoya drop to the bench. The loss of Harry Hayes to suspension brings Lipoi Hopoi into the squad. Rookie Alekolasimi Jones is on the six man bench.
Cowboys: Zac Laybutt comes in on the wing for Murray Taulagi (concussion). Jeremiah Nanai is named to start with Thomas Mikaele on the bench. Robert Derby is also on the extended interchange.
Match: Bulldogs v Cowboys
Round 9 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor TraceyFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jonathan SuaWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari TualaWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Zac Laybutt
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan GalvinHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Samuel HughesProp for Cowboys is number 8 Coen Hess
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey HaywardHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman SalmonLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 11 Sitili TupouniuaInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Sam McIntyre
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Thomas Mikaele
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jake TurpinInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Alekolasimi JonesInterchange for Cowboys is number 18 Matthew Lodge
Reserves
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 16 Lipoi HopoiReserve for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 19 Marcelo MontoyaReserve for Cowboys is number 22 Robert Derby
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their last five games at Accor Stadium.
- The Cowboys have won four of their past six games against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.
- Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored five tries in his last six games at Accor Stadium.
- The Bulldogs are ranked 16th in attack after eight rounds
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
