Roosters v Bulldogs: Young, Smith return; Skelton called up

Two sides looking to consolidate their place in the top eight, the Roosters and Bulldogs will put it all on the line when they meet in Gosford on Saturday. 

With Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Angus Crichton and Lindsay Collins in Origin camp, the Roosters’ depth will be pushed to its limits when they host a Bulldogs side on the rise. 

Trent Robinson’s men will be over the moon to see Watson called up to make his State of Origin debut after the star utility missing the entire 2023 season while their skipper James Tedesco will bring some much-needed experience to the side that after he made way for Dylan Edwards in camp. 

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs once again lose skipper Stephen Crichton to Origin duties but keep their star playmaker Matt Burton who will be crucial to helping the side make it four straight on the Central Coast. 

Team News

Roosters: The absence of Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Connor Watson on Origin duty and a hamstring injury to Michael Jennings sees a new-look Roosters in Round 16. Dom Young returns from a hamstring injury on the wing so Fetalaiga Pauga moves into the centres while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Brandon Smith and Terrell May make up a new front row. Nat Butcher joins the starting side in the back row while Blake Steep, Sitili Tupouniua and Siua Wong are the new faces on the bench.

Bulldogs: Jacob Kiraz shifts to the centres to replace skipper Stephen Crichton (Origin duty) and Jeral Skelton comes in on the wing for his first NRL action of the season. Josh Curran returns from HIA protocols to start in the back row with Jacob Preston sidelined by a foot injury. Jake Turpin and Poasa Faamausili join the bench with Kurt Mann out. Josh Addo-Carr will miss the game after suffering a hamstring injury in Round 14. Viliame Kikau is listed in the reserves as he looks to push for a return from finger surgery.

Stat Attack 

• The Roosters have won nine of their past 11 games against the Bulldogs.
• The Bulldogs are aiming for four consecutive wins for the first time since 2019.
• The Roosters have won their past four games at Industree Group Stadium.
• The Bulldogs have not defeated the Roosters twice in a season since 2016.
• Roosters captain James Tedesco has scored 13 tries in 11 games against the Bulldogs.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.