Tigers open up a handy lead
16 min: TRY to Tigers winger Charlie Staines, running off a pass from Brent Naden, who’d been put into space by Jahream Bula. Sezer bangs the kick over from the sideline. Tigers 8-0
Game on at Accor Stadium
1 min: Matt Burton kicks off to a Wests Tigers side trying to snap a four-match losing streak .
How they will line up today
Wests Tigers will be without skipper Api Koroisau, who was ruled out after suffering a back injury last week. Jake Simpkin comes into the 17 to start at hooker. For the Bulldogs, in-form No.1 Connor Tracey has been ruled out, which opens the door for Blake Taafe to start at fullback. Jacob Preston returns from the bench after recovering from a jaw injury.
Bulldogs: 17. Blake Taaffe 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 15. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Kurt Mann. Bench: 10. Josh Curran 14. Bailey Hayward 16. Kurtis Morrin 22. Jacob Preston. 18th man: 20. Poasa Faamausili
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Brent Naden 4. Justin Olam 5. Solomon Alaimalo 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 18. Jake Simpkin 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Samuela Fainu 13. John Bateman. Bench: 14. Latu Fainu 15. Alex Twal 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole. 18th man: 20. Asu Kepaoa
Welcome
Welcome to Accor Stadium for an western Sydney derby on a grey Saturday afternoon, as the Bulldogs host the Wests Tigers.
After starting the season with so much optimism, Benji Marshall’s side is on a four-game winless streak and desperate for victory against a Bulldogs side hoping to crack the top eight.
There were late changes for both teams last night with Blake Taaffe starting at fullback in place of Connor Tracey for Canterbury while Tigers skipper Api Koroisau is out with a back injury, with Jake Simpkin to start at dummy-half.
Christian Nicolussi and Phil Mitchell will have all the action as it happens for two teams who have been battlers in recent years but look to be on the up this season.
