Live Blog: Back up to second after dousing Dragons

Media conferences

Ground zero: Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo will no doubt be delighted with his team keeping their line intact and holding the Tigers to zero. That's the first time since Round 7 last season they have kept a team scoreless. On that occasion they beat the Rabbitohs 32-0 at Accor Stadium in the annual Good Friday clash.

King for a day: Bulldogs big man Max King racked up 174 run metres and got through 25 tackles in a powerful display alongside Leo Thompson had 12 runs for 105 metres.

Full-time: The Bulldogs keep the Tigers scoreless in a dominant display as Jethro Rinakama runs for 282 metres while Connor Tracey had 200 run metres and five tackle breaks.

80 min: Alex Twal is back from the bin and taking out his frustrations as he and Josh Curran explain pleasantries but it's the Bulldogs having the last laugh.

78 min: Jethro Rinakama explodes down the left wing and has the line in sight but Jahream Bula comes up with a superb cover tackle to put him into touch.

74 min: Api Koroisau tries to kick, Josh Curran charges the ball down, Gordon Chan Kum Tong scoops it up and races away as the Tigers remonstrate believing Chan Kum Tong was offside. The replacement hooker is dragged down by Jahream Bula but slips an offload to Curran who backs up to score. Matt Burton converts. Bulldogs 32-0

71 min: Lachlan Galvin rolls the ball into the in-goal and Api Koroisau shows great desperation to get back and knock it dead.

70 min: The Tigers are down to 11 men with Alex Twal striking Jaeman Salmon with an open hand for no apparent reason. A complete lack of discipline by the Tigers who are two-men down as the score threatens to really blow out.

69 min: Bailey Hayward puts the ball down at first receiver and the Tigers have a scrum on their own 40m line but time is well and truly running out for Benji Marshall's men.

66 min: Viliame Kikau and Connor Tracey combine before Matt Burton sets sail for the line and cuts hard off his left foot to get inside Jahream Bula and dot down for his 50th career try. Burton converts his own try. Bulldogs 26-0

64 min: Latu Fainu goes in low at the legs of Leo Thompson who flips over the tackler's head and lands in a dangerous position. Fainu is placed on report and sin binned. Matt Burton decides to take a shot at penalty goal from 41 metres out. He slams it home. Bulldogs 20-0

62 min: Jarome Luai grubbers to the in-goal, Heamasi Makasini chases hard but Jacob Kiraz hustles back to make it dead. The Bulldogs go short with the dropout and Samuela Fainu knocks it on in the jump.

60 min: Jacob Kiraz pushes an offload in traffic and it's a turnover by the Dogs 20m out from their own line.

59 min: Adam Doueihi launches a trademark spiral bomb but Jethro Rinakama defuses the situation with a great take.

58 min: A poor pass from Jarome Luai on last play lands at the feet of Sunia Turuva who can do nothing with it and the Tigers turn it over.

56 min: Adam Doueihi is placed on report for a high shot on Harry Hayes.

50 min: Another big play from Sean O'Sullivan as he produces his second 40-20 of the night and the Bulldogs attack to the right but Jethro Rinakama is bundled into touch for a turnover.

49 min: Samuela Fainu grubbers on the last play, the referee rules not played at by Max King. It rebounds to the Tigers and that's the end of the set. The Tigers challenge the call but the bunker rules not played at by the Bulldogs.

47 min: Leo Thompson tries to slip a pass to Harry Hayes but the ball is lost and the Tigers get a scrum 40m out from the Dogs line.

46 min: Some better attack from the Tigers but they come up empty when Adam Doueihi's grubber is cleaned up by Josh Curran.

45 min: The Tigers go to the right and look dangerous but Jethro Rinakama knocks the pass down and the Tigers reload from their own 40m line.

Special K: Dogs winger Jacob Kiraz continues to be the king of the offload with another six delivered in the opening 40 minutes. Kiraz had 13 runs for 113 metres and broke three tackles as the Bulldogs strangled the Tigers.

Half-time: The Bulldogs are in total control at 18-0 on the back of 63 per cent of possession and 21 of 26 sets completed at 80 per cent. The Bulldogs made 1109 run metres to just 442 for the Tigers and came up with 18 tackle breaks to six.

39 min: Adam Doueihi throws up a huge spiral bomb and Connor Tracey comes up with a fingertip catch right on the sideline.

36 min: Lachlan Galvin's pass for Matt Burton on the left edge is too hard and the ball is put down.

34 min: A forward pass call against Jarome Luai looks to be a very tough call and the Tigers are under the pump again.

33 min: Sean O'Sullivan bombs, Matt Burton chases but is penalised for a disruptor as he takes Jahream Bula out of play on the contest.

31 min: Jaeman Salmon returns the favour when he loses the ball in the tackle of Alex Twal.

30 min: Terrell May is pulled up for a forward pass and the Tigers again find themselves defending inside their own territory.

29 min: The Bulldogs sweep the ball to the right but the final pass from Enari Tuala is too low for Jacob Kiraz and the opportunity is lost.

27 min: Viliame Kikau is back! The powerhouse back-rower is injected into the game for his first action since Round 8.

23 min: Jacob Preston goes to the line and rides the contact before slipping an offload to Enari Tuala who out-paces the cover defence on a run to the corner. Matt Burton again nails the kick from wide out. Bulldogs 18-0

17 min: Jethro Rinakama looks to have a second try but replays show Josh Curran had knocked on in the lead-up. The pass from Lachlan Galvin was a bullet and Curran couldn't control it. The referee ruled play on and allowed Rinakama to cross but the bunker ruled the 'try' out.

17 min: Api Koroisau is back! The skipper enters the game off the bench in his return from a pectoral injury.

16 min: The Bulldogs keep the ball alive on the last but are ruled to have knocked on and then penalised for offside. The Bulldogs challenge and the bunker rules in their favour as replays show Jahream Bula had knocked on in the initial contest for the ball with Jacob Preston.

13 min: A loose pass by Connor Tracey goes behind Enari Tuala but Sunia Turuva knocks it on as he tries to scoop it up. Bulldogs scrum 30m out.

8 min: A neat grubber by Lachlan Galvin into the in-goal is allowed to roll around by the Tigers who show no urgency and allow Josh Curran to steam through and get to the ball first for a try. Matt Burton converts. Bulldogs 12-0

7 min: The Bulldogs make big metres down the right side before it is sent all the way back to the left where Jethro Rinakama is dragged down by Adam Doueihi and Jahream Bula. The ball comes free, knock is called, the Bulldogs challenge and the bunker rules Doueihi had stripped the ball one-on-one and the Dogs had regained the ball.

2 min: The Bulldogs strike first on the left edge as Jaeman Salmon, Sean O'Sullivan and Matt Burton combine to send Jethro Rinakama over for the opening try. Burton converts from touch. Bulldogs 6-0

1 min: Sean O'Sullivan launches a kick from inside his own 40 which Jahream Bula can't get across in time to prevent going out inside the 20. The perfect start for O'Sullivan taking over at five-eighth from injured skipper Stephen Crichton.

Late Mail

Bulldogs: Josh Curran will start the game and Harry Hayes goes to the bench in a late switch. Gun back-rower Viliame Kikau has been added to the bench in jersey No.21 as he returns from a pectoral injury suffered in Round 8. Gordon Chan Kum Tong is in line for a club debut from the bench. Skipper Stephen Crichton will be rested after losing feeling in his arm and being taken from the field on a medicab last Saturday night at Accor Stadium. Star back-rower Jacob Preston is back in the starting side after playing 60 minutes off the bench last week in his return from a broken arm. 

Wests Tigers: Skipper Api Koroisau (pectoral) has been added to the bench in No.22 in a huge boost for the Tigers. A game day swap with Alex Seyfarth to start and Fonua Pole going to the bench. Last week's debutant Jared Haywood will do the job at hooker with Koroisau to back him up. Bunty Afoa is serving a one-game ban.

Numbers Game

• The Bulldogs have won three of their last four games at Accor Stadium.
• Wests Tigers have lost their last 10 games at Accor Stadium.
• Bulldogs Matt Burton, Enari Tuala and Kurt Mann require one try for 50 career tries.
• Wests Tigers winger Jeral Skelton has scored four tries in two games against the Bulldogs.
• Bulldogs winger Jethro Rinakama has scored five tries in his last five games.

 

Warriors v Dragons at Go Media Stadium

Media conferences

Twin turbos: Toby and Ryan Couchman combined for 31 runs, 293 run metres and 102 tackles as they continued to give Dragons hope for better things to come in 2027.

Full-time: The Warriors close to within one game of the Panthers at the top of the table with a hard-fought eight-point win over a gritty Dragons outfit.

77 min: Wayde Egan comes out of dummy half, the Dragons play at his arm and dislodge the ball but are penalised for being offside. Chanel Harris-Tavita lands the easy shot. Warriors 20-12

76 min: Setu Tu tries to play the ball too quickly and makes a meal of it. He turns the ball over 30m out from his own line.

75 min: Toby Couchman gets a late offload to Jacob Liddle midway through the set and the hooker puts in a grubber that is easily cleaned up by the Warriors.

73 min: Te Maire Martin comes up with a simple drop 20m inside the Dragons half.

69 min: Val Holmes is penalised for an escort on Taine Tauapiki. The Dragons throw in a captain's challenge which is unsuccessful. Chanel Harris-Tavita lands the penalty goal. Warriors 18-12

68 min: Concerted pressure from the Dragons and Dan Atkinson grubbers but Taine Tuaupiki cleans up and the Warriors make big metres coming out of trouble.

65 min: The Warriors kick from 10m out, the ball hits Mat Feagai's leg, the Dragons are ruled to have knocked on. They use their captain's challenge and replays show Adam Pompey had knocked on after the ball rebounded off Feagai's leg. Dragons come out of trouble.

61 min: The Dragons come up with a poor last-tackle option when Mat Feagai kicks and the Warriors clean it up easily.

60 min: A loose pass by Adam Pompey on halfway is scooped up by Mat Feagai who sprints away and finds Setu Tu in support. The winger slips over, Taine Tauapiki puts hands on him which constitutes a tackle completed. Tu gets up and runs away for a 'try' but the bunker rules he must come back and play the ball.

55 min: On the back of a high tackle penalty and a six-again call the Dragons mount plenty of pressure but Dan Atkinson's grubber is trapped by Kurt Capewell who dives on the scraps to bring the Warriors out of trouble.

51 min: The Warriors create space for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who launches himself for the corner but Tyrell Sloan gets across in cover and dislodges the ball.

50 min: Loko Pasifiki Tonga is penalised for a high shot on Wayde Egan.

49 min: The Dragons are penalised for a strip with more than one in the tackle and throw in a captain's challenge. The bunker supports the on-field decision and the Warriors go down to the halfway line on the back of the touchfinder.

46 min: In his return from a hamstring injury Dallin Watene-Zelezniak crosses in the corner courtesy of a pass from Ali Leiataua that appears to be forward but allowed to go by the officials. Chanel Harris-Tavita converts from wide out. Warriors 16-12

45 min: Dan Atkinson is penalised for a slow peel and the Warriors are hard on attack.

Stewart conquest: The Dragons' young forwards have held their gloves up all season and tonight it's back-rower Hamish Stewart taking the game up to the powerful Warriors pack with a try, a try assist, 41 run metres and 27 tackles. He was ably supported by Toby Couchman (73 run metres and 28 tackles).

Half-time: The Dragons are matching motors with one of the competition heavyweights despite having just 41 per cent of possession in the opening half.

39 min: Clint Gutherson comes up with a great bomb catch under pressure to ensure the Red V will take a lead to the break.

36 min: Hamish Stewart continues an outstanding first half as he dummies his way past James Fisher-Harris and sets sail for the line to grab the Dragons' second try. Val Holmes converts. Dragons 12-10

35 min: The Dragons muscle up in defence to throw Adam Pompey into touch and march up field.

33 min: Alofiana Khan-Pereira has another try as he takes the ball 35 metres out and bamboozles the Dragons defence with dazzling speed and footwork. Chanel Harris-Tavita fails to convert. Warriors 10-6

29 min: A penalty against the Dragons for not being square at the marker and playing at the ball has the Red V under the pump again.

26 min: Val Holmes tries to bring the ball out trouble but he comes up with an error in a heavy tackle. Warriors on the attack 30m out.

24 min: The Dragons choose to run the ball on the last from close range but Val Holmes is wrapped up in a strong tackle by Ali Leiataua.

22 min: Te Maire Martin launches a high ball, Tyrell Sloan takes it well and the Dragons come out of trouble when Erin Clark concedes a high-tackle penalty.

21 min: The Dragons are pinged for being inside the 10 metres on their right edge and Chanel Harris-Tavita kncoks over the penalty goal. 6-6

15 min: Warriors hooker Wayde Egan leaves the field for a HIA. He passes the assessment and is clear to return.

14 min: The Dragons hit back as Hamish Stewart brushes through a Wayde Egan tackle and sends the pass inside for Clint Gutherson to score. Val Holmes converts. Dragons 6-4

10 min: A floated pass by Te Maire Martin to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak gives the winger no chance to make any ground as he pinned against the sideline and bundled out by Tyrell Sloan.

8 min: Val Holmes tries to unlock Tyrell Sloan on the right wing but the pass is well forward and the Warriors have a scrum 10m inside Dragons territory.

4 min: Chanel Harris-Tavita goes cross field and picks up Adam Pompey who heads for the line and is dragged down by a couple of desperate Dragons defenders but the bunker rules the ball had made it to the line as he slid across. Chanel Harris-Tavita fails to convert from wide out. Warriors 4-0

4 min: The Warriors shift to the left and Setu Tu gets in the passing lane and knocks down the final pass. Warriors scrum.

Late Mail

Warriors: No further changes in Saturday's 90-minute update after Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad came on to the interchange bench in place of Marata Niukore on Friday. Origin pair Kurt Capewell and Mitch Barnett are back after being rested last week so Leka Halasima and Tanner Stowers-Smith revert to the bench. Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns from a hamstring injury. Centre Rocco Berry has recovered from a hamstring injury and will return through NSW Cup.

Dragons: No late changes for the Dragons, who will line up 1-19. Winger Tyrell Sloan will play despite coming off with a hamstring injury in the Round 18 win over Wests Tigers before last week's bye. Moses Suli has been recalled on the bench after playing NSW Cup a fortnight ago. Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle will make his 150th NRL appearance.

 

Raiders v Rabbitohs at GIO Stadium

Media conferences 

Full-time: The Raiders hang on to claim a 34-24 victory. They set it up with a dominant showing the first half where they raced out to a 28-6 lead. However, the important win has been cruelled by the news of a serious injury to Hudson Young, with fears of a suspected ruptured Achilles. 

78th min: A successful captain's challenge ruling for the Rabbitohs on a knock-on call. 

77th min: The visitors are denied again - with the Bunker overruling a Campbell Graham effort after he goes over on right side. The Bunker rules the Raiders were denied an opportunity to defend inside and the score remains 34-24. 

72nd min: The Rabbitohs are still on the attack but are denied the chance of another try after an aerial contest near the line finds that Jack Wighton knocks the ball on and lets the Raiders off the hook. Score remains 34-24. 

66th min: Still fight left in the Rabbitohs, with Cody Walker scoring after a messy passage of play - but they are allowed to play on and the contest remains live. Brandon Smith makes a break to start the attack and it's finished by the veteran half, who has been targeted by the Raiders all afternoon. Ward converts and it's 34-24 to the Raiders. 

58th min: Against the run of play - the Raiders extent their lead after a Bunnies ball when they were in the Canberra 10 and attacking the line goes to ground and bounces into the arms of Jed Stuart. He take it in his arms and runs the 90 metres to the other end of the field to put the Raider back on track. Sanders converts again and the score is now 34-18. 

55th min: Injury alert - Raiders forward Hudson Young is aided from the field with an injury to his lower left leg. He was stepping back to be part of the defensive line, before falling to the ground. 

50th min: Back-to-back in quick succession for the Bunnies, with skipper Cameron Murray busting through the tackle of Hudson Young in the middle of the field and running 20 metres to score under the posts. Ward converts again and it's 28-18 to the Raiders.  

47th min: After some back-and-forth, the Rabbitohs are the first on the board in the second half with a much-needed try. The competition's all-time leading try-scorer Alex Johnston gets another for his tally on the far left touchline, with a ball-steal from captain Cam Murray getting the Rabbitohs rolling in the attack. Ashton Ward converts again and the scores narrows to 28-12. 

Half-time: The home side head to the sheds with a dominant 28-6 lead, with the Raiders producing a number of impressive team tries to claim their strong position in the match. Young Queensland hooker Owen Pattie has been in the thick of the action, with a try and a try assist so far. Halfback Ethan Sanders also has a try assist and has kicked four from five conversions. The Raiders have been able to smother the Bunnies so far - but they have shown when they do have the ball in an attacking position, they can score. A big second half needed by the Bunnies if they are to turn the result around. 

32nd min: One-way traffic and the Raiders thought they were over for their sixth try of the first half - but have been denied by the Bunker. Xavier Savage had shown great strength to twist his way over the line, but he bobbled the ball - thanks to a defensive attempt from Cody Walker - in the lead-up, with the Canberra winger overruled for a knock on. Score remains 28-6. 

28th min: Way too easy for Kaeo Weekes who has a double. A 40/20 from Ethan Sanders gives the Raiders the ball and the chance to attack. They do just that and Weekes has eyes only for the line as he steps his through defenders to plant the ball. Sanders slots it again and it's 28-6 to the Green Machine. 

25th min: The last Raiders try showcased speed - and now this one is a display of strength from Noah Martin - who runs onto some creative play from Pattie, before wrestling his way out of three defenders to force his way over the line and get the ball down. Another conversion for Sanders with the Raiders now enjoying a healty 22-6 lead. 

20th min: Raiders are in again with another impressive effort. Ethan Strange collects an intercept deep in his own half and sprints away, eventually finding speedster Kaeo Weekes who finishes the job. Sanders converts again and it's 16-6 to the Raiders. 

15th min: An important hit-back from the Rabbitohs, going over with their first real chance to attack Canberra's line. Ashton Ward scores the try with a bit of footwork at the line, a worthy reward of a good kick that first applied the pressure on the Raiders. He converts his own try and the scores have narrowed to 8-6. 

10th min: A great team try for the Raiders who go back-to-back, finished with an energetic effort from Hudson Young. There were 11 sets of hands involved in getting that try over in the left corner, with the ball batted back from a kick, swinging the ball out the back and to the left, with a few flick passes along the way to boot. Sanders can't convert and it's 10-0 to the Raiders.

3rd min: The home side are first on the board, with young hooker Owen Pattie bursting through to run in the first four-pointer. Ethan Sanders adds the extras for a 6-0 lead.

Kick off: The Rabbitohs kick off the match, booting the ball to the Raiders to start the game's play.

Match preview

Late Mail

Raiders: A late switch in the pack with Ata Mariota to start and Corey Horsburgh going to the bench. Origin duo Ethan Strange and Hudson Young return to the starting side. Seb Kris will miss one more week with a hamstring injury but is expected to be fit for Round 21. Winger Savelio Tamale earns a recall on the bench after a week in NSW Cup to regain his confidence after a tough day under the high ball against the Dragons in Round 17. Hooker Tom Starling celebrates his 150th game for the club with coach Ricky Stuart full of praise for the No.9. "He's got a heart bigger than anybody and realistically he's our spiritual leader," Stuart said on Friday. 

Rabbitohs: No late changes for the Rabbitohs on game day. Alex Johnston is set to return from a calf injury and replaces Dayne Jennings, who suffered a nasty gash in last week’s win over Newcastle. Euan Aitken failed to finish the match due to illness but has been listed to start in the back row. Cody Walker is back from a one-game ban and will partner Ashton Ward in the halves. John Radel joins the six-man bench in No.20.