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Bulldogs v Dragons: Milestone for Wheeler; Tapsell to start

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42025.com
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The Canterbury Bulldogs are out to extend an unbeaten start to their inaugural NRLW season when they return to Accor Stadium to face the Dragons. 

The competition newcomers battled their way past the Wests Tigers in Round 2 to make it back-to-back wins and they are chasing a third victory on Saturday afternoon. 

Halfback Tayla Preston has so far shown why the Bulldogs were so eager to lure her back to Canterbury and her one-on-one battle with St George Illawarra playmaker Raecene McGregor should be fascinating. 

The clash will also see sisters Alexis (Bulldogs) and Trinity Tauaneai (Dragons) go head-to-head, with family bragging rights on the line. 

The Dragons were brave against the Roosters last week before ultimately losing to the defending premiers and coach Nathan Cross will be eager to see another improved performance on Saturday.

Team News

Bulldogs: The loss of co-captain Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa to suspension has triggered a reshuffle with Hope Millard coming in as starting prop for her debut. There have also been a few other changes, with Monica Tagoai the new centre, in for Simina Lokotui while Ebony Prior comes from the bench to start at dummy half. Shaniece Monschau has been promoted from the bench to start in the second row in place of Latisha Smythe. The two new faces on the interchange are debutants Anneka Wilson and Paea Uilou. 

Dragons: Pia Tapsell has been named to start, moving Ahlivia Ingram to the bench in the only change to the 17 this week to face the Bulldogs. Bronte Wilson is the new 18th player in place of Jamilee McGregor, who has been named to play for St George in the Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Andie Robinson
    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Bridget Hoy
    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Margot Vella
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Monica Tagoai
    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Indie Bostock
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 20 Simina Lokotui
    Centre for Dragons is number 5 Keele Browne
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Adi Vani Buleki
    Winger for Dragons is number 20 Alice Gregory
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Ashleigh Quinlan
    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kasey Reh
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Tayla Preston
    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregor

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Hope Millard
    Prop for Dragons is number 8 Madison Mulhall
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Ebony Prior
    Hooker for Dragons is number 14 Nita Maynard-Perrin
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Tegan Dymock
    Prop for Dragons is number 16 Trinity Tauaneai
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Alexis Tauaneai
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Ella Koster
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Shaniece Monschau
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 15 Shenai Lendill
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Holli Wheeler
    Lock for Dragons is number 13 Hannah Southwell

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Anneka Wilson
    Interchange for Dragons is number 9 Zali Hopkins
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Paea Uilou
    Interchange for Dragons is number 10 Pia Tapsell
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Shannon Muru
    Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Ahlivia Ingram
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Kalosipani Hopoate
    Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Bronte Wilson

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 18 Ma’atuleio Fotu-Moala
    Replacement for Dragons is number 22 Jayme Millard

Match Officials

  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Bulldogs are aiming to become only the second NRLW club (after Brisbane 2018) to win its first three games.
  • The Dragons have named the youngest line-up of any club in Round 3 (average age 23 and 320 days).
  • Bulldogs lock Holli Wheeler will make her 40th NRLW appearance.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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