Bulldogs’ Glimpse of Hope
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ended a five-game losing streak last week, securing a 30-20 victory over the depleted Melbourne Storm. This win marked a positive shift in their performance during the crucial Origin period, but it’s still early days to determine if they can truly challenge the top teams when the season reaches its climax in September.
While the win is an encouraging step forward and always brings some positive lessons, there’s still a long way to go before the Bulldogs can be considered a real threat. They had high expectations coming into the 2026 season, with many believing they could be among the upper echelon of teams. At times, they have shown glimpses of being world-class, but at other moments, they’ve struggled to find consistency in attack.
Finding that middle ground and building on it week by week is essential for the Bulldogs to progress. Their next test comes when they face the Wests Tigers on Saturday, who are set to welcome back several key players.
Wests Tigers’ Return of Stars
The Tigers will see the return of Apisai Koroisau (suspension), Heamasi Makasini (foot), and Alex Twal (knee), which is a significant boost for the joint venture. Jacob Kiraz will retain the fullback jersey after delivering a strong performance in their recent victory following his return from injury.
With the loss of Jacob Preston due to a fractured arm, the Bulldogs will need to rely on their depth. This situation mirrors the challenges the Tigers have faced recently after a string of injuries. As a result, Josh Curran will join the side, having been pulled from the NSW Cup, while Jack Underhill, an emerging talent, will get more minutes. Underhill has already started to capture the hearts of fans with his performances in the blue and white.
Bulldogs’ Position on the Ladder
Currently sitting in 13th place with four wins and seven losses, the Bulldogs must continue winning every game to stay competitive with the top teams. For Cameron Ciraldo, one of the biggest challenges in his coaching career is to see how the team responds in the coming weeks, especially after their recent win against the Storm.
Matt Burton is expected to start after playing only a few minutes in State of Origin Game 1 on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, skipper Stephen Crichton was named on the extended bench. It remains unclear whether he will feature in the upcoming match or be rested by the club.
Resting Crichton could be a strategic move by Ciraldo to ensure the Samoan international is fresh for the critical end of the season, which is vital for getting the Bulldogs into the top eight.
